Boat Moorings and Marina Etiquette

Moorings and marinas are where boats spend most of their time, and how you handle your boat in these shared spaces says a lot about your seamanship. This guide covers the main types of mooring, marina arrival and departure procedures, rafting up, and the unwritten rules of etiquette that keep marinas functional and pleasant for everyone.

Types of mooring

Stern-to (Mediterranean mooring)

In the Mediterranean, the standard mooring technique is stern-to — backing the boat into the quay with an anchor set from the bow and stern lines ashore. This allows marinas to pack boats tightly along the quay and is the norm from Spain to Turkey. The technique requires practice: approach the quay at a shallow angle, drop the anchor far enough out to hold, then reverse in with controlled speed. Have stern lines ready to pass ashore, and use fenders to protect both your boat and your neighbours. See our Spain boats and Greece boats pages for listings in Mediterranean cruising areas.

Alongside (finger pontoon)

In northern Europe and the UK, the standard is alongside mooring on finger pontoons — a pontoon extends from the main walkway, and the boat ties alongside it. This is generally easier than stern-to mooring because you approach forward, but it requires good fender placement and spring line technique to prevent the boat from swinging in tide or wind.

Swing moorings (buoy)

A swing mooring is a buoy attached to a permanent ground tackle (anchor or concrete block). The boat picks up the buoy and ties to it, swinging with wind and tide. Swing moorings are common in harbours and estuaries where there is no marina infrastructure. They are inexpensive but offer no shore power or facilities.

Pile moorings

Pile moorings use two or more driven piles with the boat secured between them. The boat rises and falls with the tide but does not swing. Pile moorings are common in tidal estuaries and rivers.

Marina arrival procedures

Call ahead

Most marinas monitor VHF channel 80 (in Europe) or a designated channel. Call ahead as you approach to request a berth assignment and confirm availability. Provide your boat name, length, and beam. The marina will assign a berth number and often send a marinero (dock hand) to help with lines.

Prepare lines and fenders

Before entering the marina, rig fenders on both sides — you may be redirected to the opposite side at the last minute. Have stern and bow lines ready, with a crew member stationed at each cleat. If mooring stern-to, ensure the anchor is ready to drop and the crew knows the procedure.

Approach slowly

The cardinal rule of marina manoeuvring is slow speed. A boat moving at 2 knots has time to correct a mistake; one at 5 knots does not. Use bursts of throttle for steerage, not sustained power. In strong wind or current, plan your approach to use the elements to your advantage — approach into the wind or current so you can stop the boat by shifting to neutral.

Rafting up

Rafting — tying alongside another boat — is common in crowded marinas and at regattas. When rafting:

• Ask permission: Always ask the boat you intend to raft against. It is their berth and their choice.
• Match size: Raft against boats of similar size. A large boat rafted to a small one can damage the smaller boat's topsides or pull its cleats out.
• Use adequate fenders: Large fenders or fender boards are essential when rafting. Position them at the point of maximum contact — usually at the widest part of both hulls.
• Cross the lines: Run bow and stern lines to the quay or pontoon, not just to the neighbouring boat. This shares the load and prevents the raft from swinging.
• Respect the inner boat: The boat closest to the pontoon has priority for shore access. Do not walk across another boat's deck without asking, and keep noise down — you are literally sleeping next to strangers.

Marina etiquette: the unwritten rules

Keep the pontoon clear

Do not leave gear, hoses, or bicycles on the pontoon walkway. These are shared spaces and a tripping hazard at night. Coil your lines neatly on your boat, not on the pontoon.

Quiet hours

Most marinas have quiet hours, typically from 22:00 to 07:00. No generators, no loud music, no engine running at the dock. If you need to run the engine for battery charging, do it during the day and ask your neighbours first.

Shore power

Do not overload shore power outlets. Running multiple heaters or air conditioning units from a single 16A outlet can trip the marina's breaker and cut power to the entire pontoon. If you need high-power appliances, check the marina's supply rating first.

Dogs and children

Keep dogs on a lead on pontoons and clean up after them immediately. Supervise children — pontoons are slippery and the water is close. Most marinas require lifejackets for children on the pontoons.

Washing and maintenance

Do not wash boats or do maintenance work on the pontoon. Sanding dust, paint, and antifouling debris are toxic and fall into the water, affecting everyone. Use the marina's designated work area or boatyard. For more on boat maintenance, see our engine maintenance guide and boat storage guide.

Departure

When leaving, inform the marina office, settle your bill, and leave the berth clean. If you used shore power, disconnect and coil the cable. If you rafted, let the inner boats know you are leaving so they can adjust their lines. Depart slowly and watch for cross-currents as you exit the marina channel.