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DYC Dock Use
Standard Operating Procedure
16 July 2018

General Requirements

Membership in the Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) automatically binds the member to agree to the following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). General requirements pertaining to this and and all other DYC SOP are covered in the Master SOP.

Docking Facilities

DYC provides temporary docking in the form of the floating docks adjacent to the launching ramp and slip rental on the main dock.

  1. Any persons incapable of swimming must wear Coast Guard approved flotation devices while on the dock.
  2. Running, riding bicycles, or any other such activity on the dock is prohibited.
  3. Recreational swimming within 150 feet of the dock is prohibited.
  4. Crabbing and fishing from the dock or ramp area is prohibited.

Floating Dock Use

The floating docks are available for all member use as long as the following rules are followed:

  1. They are provided for member access to their boat following launching or before haul out.
  2. They are not intended for long term docking.
  3. Boats shall not be moored or left unattended at the dock for more than 30 minutes. For longer temporary docking please move the boat to the first slip on the dock outboard from the floating dock or consult with the Dockmaster about your needs to arrange temporary docking.

Dock Use

The dock may be used by members as long as the following rules are followed:

  1. Boarding boats without Dockmaster or Owners permission is prohibited except for actions required to protect the boat or dock from damage. Report any actions taken to the Boat Owner and Dockmaster using the phone number on the slip assignment list in the Dockhouse bulletin board.

Dock Slip Requirements

Members renting slips from DYC shall comply with the following requirements. Members failing to comply may loose berthing privileges other appropriate action as determined by the Board of Governors.

  1. Contact Phone Numbers: All members with boats or equipment at the DYC dock facilities will verify that the Dockmaster has the appropriate telephone numbers to contact (including alternates) in case of emergency or hazardous conditions. These numbers will be posted at the dockhouse. Slipholders leaving the area for more than 3 days will notify the Dockmaster in advance. If your work, home or cell phone numbers change during the year, notification of the BOG is required.
  2. Regular Use: Boats berthed at DYC must be in regular use. Boats not in regular use during the season may not be eligible for slip renewal the following season. The Dockmaster will prepare a list of inactive boats at the end of each season to be presented to the Board of Governors for review. Additionally, boats primarily berthed at other locations will not be assigned berths at DYC. DYC must be the primary berthing location for any boat kept at the DYC facility.
  3. Wet Slip Requirements: All boats will be moored with at least two bow lines and two stern lines (primary dock lines). The Dockmaster may require any boat to rig spring lines or alter the method of mooring.
    1. The only approved mooring line material is nylon rope, laid or double braid. The use of polypropylene is strictly prohibited.
    2. Boats shall use docklines as indicated in Table 1 below. If your boat is heavier than average or near the top end of the scale, you are advised to use the next larger diameter. Dock lines must be replaced when chafe or wear is noted.
      Table 1 - Minimum Dock Line Sizes
      Boat Size Minimum Dock Line Size
      < 20' 3/8"
      20' - 29' 1/2"
      30' - 39' 5/8"
      40' + 3/4"
    3. Dock lines must be secured to pad eyes in main dock timbers. Lines attached to pad eyes will include a thimble attached to the end of the line. The thimble will be attached to the pad eye by a shackle of adequate size for the vessel. The shackle bolt will be secured with non-corrosive wire or an UV resistant nylon cable tie. Cable ties shall be replaced annually. Wire ties shall be replaced when corrosion is observed. Attachment of lines to any part of dock other than pilings or pad eyes is prohibited. Lines attached to outer pilings must use some means of preventing the lines from riding up on pilings during high water, and should be at a height that is about bow high during medium tide. Weights and pulley systems are allowed on secondary dock lines only. Spring lines, if used, must be long enough not to "hang" the boat at extreme tides.
    4. All dock lines will have excess length ON THE BOAT CLEAT to allow for slacking or tightening of lines from onboard the boat. Quick disconnect devices (snap hooks, etc.) on the 4 primary dock lines is prohibited.
    5. Boats will be kept in a clean, seaworthy condition and be capable of making way. Boats must have current registrations as appropriate to the boat type and size.
    6. Major overhaul, dismantling, or beaching operations shall not be undertaken without prior approval of the Dockmaster.
    7. Boats with fixed marine toilets shall have holding tanks.
    8. Shore-power cords shall be:
      1. A grounded 3-wire outdoor cable of adequate capacity with grounds connected on both ends.
      2. In good repair.
      3. Secured to the boat and dock such that the cord will not come in contact with the water nor be easily pulled from the box or the boat.
      4. A single continuous cable with no connectors located over the water.
      5. Power cords should be unplugged from the dock receptacle before unplugging from boat.    Do NOT leave an energized cord plugged into the dock when it is unplugged from the boat as there is an electrocution risk if it falls into the water or a high tide submerses it.
    9. Galvanic Corrosion and Electrical Shock Prevention: Connection to DYC-supplied shore power requires dockmaster approval following a prearranged test for the presence of ground-fault or stray electrical current. DYC will verify that NO current is present on the ground wire, and no stray current exists on the hot-neutral circuit. Boats failing these tests will have to rectify the problem, and be retested. The dockmaster will be the arbitrator of any "negligible" leakage.
    10. Hose Bibs (water faucets) will be properly secured after use (not leaking) and hoses will be removed from the faucets. Hoses left on faucets may be removed by the Dockmaster and may become a dock asset.
  4. Hazardous Conditions: Hazardous conditions exist if there are weather or tidal conditions conducive to possible damage to vessels or the dock. In all cases DYC will comply with base direction. For purposes of this section, Dockmaster shall mean: the Dockmaster, Assistant Dockmaster, or appropriate designee. It is the responsibility of owners to be aware of hazardous conditions and act in accordance with these instructions. The club phone message will be updated to reflect operational status. Dockhouse Telephone: 540-663-3696
    1. If conditions warrant, and at the direction of the Dockmaster, any or all boats and equipment in the area of the facilities, including boats in the daysail racks and dry slips, must be removed from the area. Base Hurricane Condition 3 (destructive weather within 48 hours) requires clearing all boats from the dock.
    2. The Dockmaster may require that heavier or additional mooring lines be used to secure boats in their slips. No lines are permitted to cross the dock.
    3. Electrical power and water to the dock may be shut off and shall be turned on only with permission from the Dockmaster.
    4. All loose equipment in the area, including equipment on boats will be secured.
    5. If the Dockmaster closes the dock, he will notify base command and post notice in a conspicuous location near the entry to DYC. Non-emergency personnel will not be allowed on the dock. Persons venturing onto the facilities during dock closure may have their membership privileges suspended, revoked, or other appropriate action as determined by the Board of Governors.
    6. Evacuation: All members must comply with any directive by the Dockmaster to remove their vessels or equipment from DYC facilities. A reasonable effort will be made to contact vessel owners or their alternate by phone, text alert, or email with numbers provided by members.
      1. The owner/alternate/designated operator must be fully capable of operating or moving the vessel during any evacuation.
      2. Members failing to remove their boats from the facilities during this condition may loose berthing privileges and/or have their membership privileges suspended, revoked, or other appropriate action as determined by the Board of Governors.
      3. In order to insure a prompt response, DYC MAY REMOVE YOUR VESSEL if the owner/alternate cannot be contacted. DYC is neither responsible nor liable for any damage caused by this movement.
    7. Temporary Storage: During an evacuation, base command may provide temporary dry storage to DYC members. When notice is given that the DYC facilities have re-opened for use, owners are responsible for removing their vessel from this temporary storage within 24 hours of notification. Failure to comply with this paragraph may result in revocation of membership privileges or other action as determined by the Board of Governors.
    8. Ground Tackle: All boats that will not be trailered or otherwise removed from the immediate area during mandatory evacuations must have available two (2) complete ground tackle systems for anchoring as indicted in the Table 2 below.
      1. Anchor rode shall be proof coil chain or laid or double braid nylon rope (the use of polypropylene is strictly prohibited), of sufficient length for 100 feet "payout" (scope of about 10:1 and all boats swing in similar arc) and secondary attachment to boat (e.g., mast of sailboat or additional cleat). Anchor rode shall have a spliced thimble for attachment to the chain with appropriate shackle.
      2. Chain shall be galvanized proof coil (stamped "G-3" on each link) or better appropriate for anchoring attached to the anchor with appropriate shackle.
      3. The Dockmaster reserves the right to inspect all ground tackle for compliance at any time. The Boat owner or designated operator is solely responsible for the proper use of ground tackle.
      Table 2 - DYC Ground Tackle requirements derived from Chapman's Piloting Seamanship and Small boat Handling, 61st edition, page 261
      Boat Size (ft) Rode Length (ft)1 Rode Size (in)2 Chain Size (in)3 Danforth Style Model No. Fortress Model No. Plow (lbs) Bruce (lbs) Delta (lbs)
      <15 125 3/8 3/16 8-S N/A 6 4.4 9
      15 - 25 150 7/16 1/4 13-S FX-7 15 11 14
      26 - 30 150 1/2 5/16 22-S FX-11 25 16.5 22
      31 - 35 150 5/8 3/8 40-S FX-16 35 22 22
      36 - 40 150 3/4 7/16 65-S FX-23 45 33 35
      41 - 50 150 3/4 7/16 130-S FX-37 60 44 55
      51 - 60 150 7/8 1/2 180-S FX-55 75 66 55

      Recommended by various anchor manufacturers, these suggested anchor sizes are higher than the average fair weather needs.  The sizes assume that in a blow you will have fair holding power a scope of seven to one and moderate shelter from heavy seas.
      1. DYC requirement is to mark rode at 100 ft and use that length to ensure similar swing for all boats. Chapman recommendation is longer rode.
      2. DYC requirement is 1 size larger than Chapman recommendation due to potential chaffing.
      3. DYC requirement is 1/2 foot of chain for each foot of boat length while Chapman recommends 1 ft of chain for each foot of boat length.
  5. Winter Conditions: Winter conditions are defined to exist between December 15 and April 1. DYC highly recommends that boats be removed for winter, as no one is there on a regular basis to watch out for them. Any damage due to winter conditions is the responsibility of the owner.
    1. Hazardous conditions during this period occasionally prevent a timely response by members, therefore doubling of mooring lines is required during winter conditions.
    2. Owners must check boat regularly; remove all snow and ice after large storms to prevent sinking.
    3. Water to the dock will be turned off and pipes drained.
    4. Deicers will be positioned and turned on or off by authorized personnel only.
    5. Electricity to slips is not guaranteed and may be used to power the deicers and may be unavailable for slip holder use.
    6. All loose equipment in the area, including equipment on boats will be secured.

Prior Instructions

This procedure supersedes all previous DYC instructions concerning operation of the this portion of the DYC facilities.