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Practical Seamanship / Boat Systems

Dock-line roles

Technical visualDock-line roles
Dock-line rolesA vessel alongside a dock with bow and stern lines restraining their respective ends and spring lines controlling fore-and-aft movement. The diagram labels direction of lead instead of relying on inconsistent spring-line terminology.vesselbow linestern line
Dock-line rolesA vessel alongside a dock with bow and stern lines restraining their respective ends and spring lines controlling fore-and-aft movement. The diagram labels direction of lead instead of relying on inconsistent spring-line terminology.1BOW LINE2STERN LINE3FORWARD-LEADING SPRING4AFT-LEADING SPRING

restrains forward movement

restrains astern movement

Line lead and motion restrained matter more than a label alone.

Bow line

Runs from the bow toward the dock and primarily restrains the bow.

Stern line

Runs from the stern toward the dock and restrains the stern.

Spring lines

Control fore-and-aft movement.

A line led aft from a forward cleat can restrain forward movement.

A line led forward from an aft cleat can restrain astern movement.

Terminology such as "forward spring" and "after spring" is sometimes used inconsistently. Outrun should show the direction of lead and the motion being restrained.

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