Dock Awareness and Safety
The Dos and Don’ts of Walking On and Working On the Docks
By Gary Caputi
Safety throughout the marina is a top priority for our owners and staff, especially on the docks around slips and tie-up areas for rack-stored boats. To help keep everyone safe, we want to review the dos and don’ts of walking on and working on the docks.
Stepping onto a floating dock in a tidal river like the Shrewsbury where swift currents and boat traffic can impart movement is not like being on a dock on a quiet lake. Our floating docks, like those in all the marinas and private slips on the river, will move, shift or yaw with current, wind and passing boat wakes and the best way to stay safe when on them is to be situationally aware. The main docks are less prone to these movements than the finger piers between boats, but care should be taken from the time you step onto the gangway.
The angle of the metal gangways can change dramatically with the tides, so it is always a good idea to use the railings when transiting up or down. The deck of the gangway provides a slip resistant surface and Gateway’s staff goes to extraordinary lengths to keep the dock surfaces clean and free of anything that might create a slippery surface, but even with those precautions, non-slip footwear should be worn on the docks as well as on your boat.
Tides in the Shrewsbury River can vary dramatically with moon phases and winds so always pay extra attention when on the dock and be even more vigilant during times of peak current flow when the water can reach speeds of four to five knots. Should someone fall into the water it is an “All Hands On Deck” situation. When tides are strong, a person can be swept down current quickly, so reaction time is critical. Grab one of the Coast Guard approved life rings with rope that are strategically placed on the docks and throw it to the person in the water. Call out “MAN OVERBOARD” to get help from people on the other docks but do not jump in to assist. Rescuing two people is infinitely harder than rescuing one.
Watching over children on the docks is a serious responsibility for family members. Adults and children should never run on the docks under any circumstances. Children under 12 years of age are required to wear a personal floatation device when on a boat and we strongly suggest that they wear them on the docks. Infants should be wearing an appropriate PFD before being brought on the docks without exception. The safety of your children is of paramount concern to us. This link is for NJ Boating Safety Regulations. (https://www.nj.gov/njsp/info/pdf/marine/021606-boating-safety-manual.pdf)
When we are experiencing severe weather or storms which amplify tidal currents and waves in the river it is advisable not to venture onto the docks at all. If you must access your boat, make sure someone else is around and make them aware of your presences should a slip occur.
While the Gateway family has a great record of safety in and around the marina we always stress using common sense and being aware of all the possibilities when docking your boat or walking or working on the docks. Always treat the docks as a moving platform and take care at all times, even on nice days.
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