Which practice helps prevent injuries when handling lines during docking?

• A. Wearing gloves and keeping hands clear of pinch points; lead lines through cleats with smooth control; use winches and fenders; maintain tension.
• B. Handling lines with bare hands only.
• C. Yelling to guide others.
• D. Let lines slack and let the boat drift.

Answer: (A)

Preventing injuries while docking comes from protecting your hands and keeping line handling smooth and controlled. Wearing gloves shields skin from rope burns and cuts, and staying away from pinch points prevents fingers from being caught as lines move under tension. Feeding lines through cleats with careful, steady movements reduces sudden loads and rope burns, and using winches allows you to apply tension gradually rather than yanking by hand. Fenders provide a buffer to absorb impacts, and maintaining appropriate tension keeps lines from slipping or snapping unexpectedly. In contrast, handling lines with bare hands increases the risk of burns and injuries; shouting doesn’t address the physical protection aspect; and letting lines slack while the boat drifts creates unstable conditions that can lead to slips, trips, or collisions.