Taking Up Slack at A Dock - Using the Outside Drive

When docking with a twin engine boat, sometimes it is easiest to come in at a 45 degree angle, then use the engines and steering wheel to adjust the slack in the lines once you are attached.

In this situation, the captain came in at a 45 degree angle to the dock, attached a bow line and is now trying to bring the stern to the dock.  If you have a twin engine boat, it is good practice to always use the outside drive.  Using the drive that is farthest away from the dock is simply for safety reasons.  Should a rope fall in the water, the engine that is nearest the dock will not be effected as the prop will not be spinning.  More importantly, should someone fall in while handling the dock lines, the chance of getting into an accident with the prop is greatly reduced since the near prop isn't spinning.

The same thing can be done if you choose to come in stern to.  If this boat was to attach a stern line first, use the outside drive in forward and the wheel turned toward the dock to move the bow in.