Specifications

Chapter 6 – Mission Performance
NOTE
WARNING
NOTE
NOTE
7 Come alongside of the vessel, matching its course and speed.
When close to the larger vessel, and forward of the desired contact
point, ask the vessel to pass the sea painter.
8 Receive the sea painter and secure it inboard just aft of the bow.
9 The sea painter is usually passed by use of a heaving line. Quickly
haul in the heaving line and adjust the boat’s heading and speed to
control slack in the sea painter so that these lines do not get into
the boat’s propeller or mast.
10 Reduce your speed slowly and drift back on the painter (ride the
painter).
11 Use helm to hold the boat at the desired position alongside or at
some distance off the vessel.
12 If set toward the vessel, apply rudder to sheer the bow out. If too
far away, apply rudder to sheer the bow in. The forward strain on
the painter will pull the boat and provide steeringway.
Never secure the sea painter to the boat’s stem nor to the side of
the boat away from the vessel of interest. If secured to the
“outboard” side of the boat, capsizing could result.
In some instances, a sea painter may be used in going alongside a larger
vessel underway. The sea painter is a line used to sheer a boat clear of a
ship’s side, when underway or at anchor, to hold a boat in position
under shipboard hoisting davits, and occasionally to hold the boat
alongside a ship in order to embark or disembark personnel. It leads
from the larger vessel’s deck, well forward of where the boat will come
alon
g
side.
As both the Defender Class boat and vessel of interest have headway,
the pressure of the water on the boat’s bow will cause it to sheer away
from the vessel of interest. Use this force by touching on the helm to
control sheer, in or out, by catching the current on one side of the bow
or the other side. Riding the sea painter will help maintain the position
and control of your boat while alongside.
When sheering in or out, apply rudder slowly and be prepared to
counteract the tendency of the boat to close or open quickly.
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