| When you moor your boat, you'll need to make sure | | | | there are no obvious signs of cables or pipes, and |
| that the boat is secured safely to the river bank. | | | | that the ground is firm enough to take the stake. |
| This is done by securing the boat at the front and at | | | | When the stake is hammered into the ground, mark |
| the back. When you are on a river, secure the | | | | the stake and rope with a carrier bag, or some light |
| upstream rope first. | | | | coloured material, this will allow people walking past to |
| When mooring in a designated area, you will have a | | | | see the stakes. Also, never put your mooring stakes |
| bollard or ring to secure your boat to. Make sure you | | | | over a tow path. |
| pick a bollard or ring which is slightly in front of your | | | | Make sure there is some slack in your ropes, |
| boat, and another which is slightly behind it. You | | | | especially where the river is tidal. If you tie your boat |
| should be able to run your ropes at 45 degrees from | | | | to tight, and the river level drops, your boat could |
| the boat to the bank, the ropes can then be looped | | | | well be left hanging out of the water! |
| back round to the boat. | | | | If you are not confident the ropes will hold your |
| You may find that there aren't any mooring rings or | | | | boat, you can use an anchor too. Although you |
| bollards with which to secure your boat to, in this | | | | should always use mooring ropes, even when using |
| case you can use your mooring stakes. These will be | | | | an anchor. |
| supplied with your hire boat, and are used in much | | | | Tying a boat to a canal or river isn't too difficult, so |
| the same way as tent pegs. Before you hammer | | | | you will soon get the hang of it. |
| your mooring stakes into the ground, make sure | | | | |