THURMOND LAKE SAIL & POWER SQUADRON
RAFTING UP PROCEDURES
Commander’s Preamble.
The following procedure is not intended to make life difficult for our members, but an attempt to organize what is really a simple operation. Thurmond Lake presents few problems in rafting other than the wind coupled with the large wind load presented by pontoon boats. If you do not have the proper anchoring equipment and you are to put out an anchor tell the Raft Captain and he will work with you. You do really need have proper fenders and dock lines. Remember we have a lot of new boaters and patience and understanding is a virtue.
Guidelines for Thurmond Lake Sail and Power Squadron Raft-Ups 6/22/06
Raft-ups are one of the “funnest” (and sometimes “funniest”…) social activities sponsored by the TLSPS. If you intend to participate in a TLSPS raft-up, in order for you to fully enjoy this experience, some simple preparation, on your part, is necessary. OK. The first thing you need to do is sign up…
Needed raft-up “stuff”:
• Your boat must meet USCG-required standards for day and night safety equipment. In other words pass our VSI.
• Plenty of adequately-sized fenders – at least 2, but more always is better.
• A minimum of 2 mooring (dock) lines: bow and stern of adequate size and length. Bow and stern lines should be 15 foot in length with a loop on one end. Three eights inch double braided nylon is recommended for the pontoon boats as most have undersized cleats. A 30 foot spring line would also be useful.
• A stern anchor of adequate size for your boat and at least 150 foot of anchor line. Be prepared to use on either the bow or stern. Mushroom anchors are ineffective for rafting. A danforth or claw (Bruce) anchor is recommended. The Claw probably holds best but may be a problem to raise if you snag a tree. River anchors, if of adequate size, are effective in soft bottoms only.
The raft master will be the first boat anchored on the raft up with both bow and stern anchors deployed. This boat becomes the center of the raft up with other boats tied up alternately to port and starboard. An assistant raft master will be in a small boat to aid in deploying anchors.
Each raft-up has a friendly and cheerful Raft Master who is responsible for determining the appropriate placement of all boats in the raft-up. The Raft Master and their erstwhile assistants will greet you upon your arrival. At this time, they will determine that you are adequately prepared and determine that you have adequate fenders, ground tackle and crew to conduct a safe approach. Please follow their directions in an equally friendly and cheerful manner. (If you feel you cannot comply with their directions, please feel free to anchor out by yourself.) Remember TLSPS raft-up is usually composed of one continuous raft. Multiple rafts are highly discouraged for safety and logistical reasons, so please do not ask the Raft Master to make an exception for you and/or others.
1. As you approach the raft-up, be sure your burgee is flying and watch for the Raft Master; they will visually and verbally acknowledge you. If they are busy assisting another boat in tying up, please wait patiently; they will get to you as soon as they can. Once contacted, be sure to listen carefully and follow their directions.
2. The Raft Master will direct you to your position in the raft-up and indicate if you are to be a “starboard tie” or a “port tie.” A starboard tie boat will place their fenders and mooring lines on the starboard side of their boat, port tie on the port side of the boat. You are generally only responsible for having fenders and lines for one side of your boat.
3. At the same time as you are being directed to your position, you may be told that you may be dropping a bow anchor or a stern anchor. Have your anchor ready to be deployed. Do not drop your anchor on approach; the Raft Master will assist you with this after you have securely tied to the raft-up. The order for anchoring is simple: the third boat out from either side will deploy a bow anchor and the fourth boat out will deploy a stern anchor. Other boats will deploy anchors as determined by the raft master.
4. After you have been given your location in the raft-up by the Raft Master, have your fenders in place and bow and stern lines secured to the appropriate fore/aft cleats, ready to throw. It is very important that you are ready as you approach the raft-up; be sure to come in S-L-O-W-L-Y and in control.
5. If possible have a crew member on each mooring line. Toss the lines to your neighboring boat, where they will be secured by their crew; re-adjust fenders as necessary.
6. Tie up your boat expeditiously (e.g., you will have plenty of time to socialize, as well as swap lies and gossip later…) and then immediately prepare to deploy your bow or stern anchor as directed by the Raft Master. The Raft Master will assist you in dropping these anchors, so just follow their directions.
7. You are almost done! Stay alert as there will most likely be another incoming boat tied up next to you. Please stay aboard your boat as long as you are on the end of the raft in order to help secure the next arriving vessel, unless the Raft Master advises you otherwise.
Guidelines for breaking-up:
• Depending on weather conditions, these raft-up break-up guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Raft Master.
• Within 15 minutes of the beginning of the raft-up break-up, all vessels should be prepared to disengage – this includes having motors running and all crew on station.
• At the end of the raft-up event, boats usually “peel off” in order from both sides toward the center. However, local wind and weather conditions may preclude this, so final determination of the process will be by the Raft Master.
Note that in windy conditions, the raft-up will usually begin to break-up beginning on the leeward end. Please be patient and wait your turn. If you need additional assistance in pulling your anchor (usually the stern anchor) it will be provided either by a neighboring boater, or by the Raft Master.
Other related things:
• Be thoughtful and considerate of the Raft Master and their assistants. Remember that they usually spend a good part of the raft up helping others.
• If you have a special request as to your placement in a raft-up, let the Raft Master know. They will try to accommodate you if they can, within the guidelines of the raft-up process.
• Fly your Squadron burgee and ensign to identify yourself as a member of the raft-up.
• Pets on board are fine. Just remember to control their behavior so others will not be bothered.
• Raft-ups are scheduled to “break up” at a given time. If you must depart earlier than that, be sure to let the Raft Master know upon your arrival and they will attempt to accommodate your placement so that a minimum of disruption to other members of the raft-up occurs. The alternative would simply be for you to anchor out nearby, by yourself.
Raft Master:
Your boat needs to be a 24 foot or longer pontoon equipped with bow and stern anchors (danforth or claw) and a minimum of 150 foot anchor line of adequate size, 200 ft recommend. A runabout or dingy should be used to give directions to approaching boats and to deploy anchors.
Anchor scope should be seven to one which means the spot the anchor is dropped in should have a depth of less than 21 feet if you have 150 foot of anchor line. A depth of 12 to 16 foot is recommended for both bow and stern anchor points. Make sure the area is free of underwater obstructions as lodged anchors are a pain.
A tree on the shore is a very effective anchor point.
The raft up should face into the wind or prevailing wind direction for the time of the year if no wind is present.
Pontoon boats should form the nucleus of the raft up with fiberglass boats to the outside.
It is the responsibility of the organizing group to appoint a raft master and assistant/s.
Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, this procedure is a modified version of that used by the Southwestern Yacht Club. It has been modified to meet our lake and weather conditions, as well as types of boats used by Squadron members.
Carl A Dearmin
Commander 2006