A Quick Recap of Marina Etiquette to Follow
Summer is just around the corner, and many boaters are already gearing up to visit their favorite bodies of water. It’s a good time to recall some of the basic rules and etiquette to follow at the marina. Whether you are an experienced boater or you have recently taken to the marine lifestyle, you will want to be familiar with these practices to make the most of your time on the water and make the experience pleasurable for others around you, too.
Keep reading our guide to learn more about maintaining decorum at the dock or marina, and for more information, visit Club Royale for a friendly chat with our staff. Our dealership is in Waterford, MI, where we happily welcome our patrons from Rochester.
Take It Slow
One of the first rules to follow when pulling into a marina is to slow down the speed of your boat. Riding your vessel at high speed around this area can cause a disturbing wake and make other boaters unsteady. This can also make you more prone to colliding with others, as you might not be able to spot an obstacle in your way.
Don’t Linger
Whether refueling your boat or stocking up on supplies, you’ll want to exit the marina as soon as you are done rather than wait around. Lingering around this area can frustrate other boaters and make the situation unpleasant for both of you. Once you have accomplished your task, you’ll want to make room for others behind you and keep the traffic flowing steadily. This will make fellow boaters look up to you as someone responsible and considerate.
Keep Your Dock Area Clear
Another thing to keep in mind is clearing your dock area efficiently and quickly.
Most likely, you will bring various items on the water—life jackets for each crew member, tow ropes, and other pieces of watersports equipment for your adventures. However, you must remember to keep all your things away from the path other boaters are using. Leaving your items scattered all over the place can block the way and create a slip hazard for others on the dock. An essential safety measure will be to remember to coil your dock lines and hoses and pack away any extra life vests. In addition, you’ll also want to avoid leaving any trash or food on your boat, which can create unpleasant smells and bother passersby.
Be Mindful of Noise
You are also responsible for maintaining a positive and amiable atmosphere at the marina. Make sure that you avoid causing discomfort to others by talking or playing music too loudly.
It’ll be a good idea to follow what others around you are doing. When you arrive at the marina, spend a few minutes scanning out the place. If you see that other boaters are quietly enjoying their time, make sure that you play your music softly. However, if the people around you are joyful and no one is complaining about it, slightly turning up the volume shouldn’t create an issue.
Observe these simple rules at the dock or marina and make the experience enjoyable for everyone. If you need more ideas or are still in the market for a vessel, visit Club Royale to look at our latest inventory of boats for sale. We are in Waterford, MI, and we are proud to serve Rochester—so stop by today.