Marina Etiquette 101
Members Only: Welcome to the Cruising Club
The AIM Marine Group, the parent company of this magazine, and several other nautical publications including and have all partnered with Marinalife, the leading cruising concierge, to launch the
Cruising Club. Membership includes discounts on dockage and fuel, help with planning your next trip, and peace of mind. For more information on the program, go to During my college years I worked as a marina dockhand in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. It was great—fresh air, interesting folks, lots of sun, and tons of boats. What’s not to love? Over the course of a few years catching lines and helping boaters of all stripes tie up, I witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly of life in a marina. Here are a few suggestions for the next time you pull into a marina to make sure you’ll be welcomed back. KEEP CALM AND DOCK THE BOAT For many boaters getting the vessel on and off the docks is the most stressful part of cruising. And sometimes things will go wrong. However, when they do, don’t be the guy at the helm cursing a blue steak at his crew, and please, don’t yell at the dock staff. They can’t control the wind, the tide, or the fact that you meant to goose it in forward instead of reverse. KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS Whether you’re planning a wild weekend with the boys or a relaxing weekend with the wife and kids, you’ll want to stay in a place that can accommodate you. I remember when the owner of a large yacht, a few of his friends, and a group of, err, let’s call them female companions, got kicked out of a marina for having a party that involved too much booze and not enough clothing in the middle of the day, with families and children looking on. Suffice it to say, these guys were not asked to return. WHEN THEY TURN IN, TURN IT DOWN While most will find this one falls into the “basic courtesy” department, if you’re hanging out and enjoying music on the aft deck or the cockpit well into the wee hours of the morning, that might not go over too well with your marina neighbors. When you see the lights start to go off around you, move the party indoors. PET FRIENDLY First off, I love dogs. But if you cruise with a canine onboard, as many people do, be aware that while you love Jasper and couldn’t cruise without him, some people might not feel the same. If your pet is rambunctious, take it for a walk, and for the love of everything clean up after it. A FRIENDLY SMILE AND A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL This is completely up to you, but speaking from personal experience, when the dock staff comes down to catch your lines and help you tie up, a tip is a nice touch.