title: 7 Steps to Successful Boat Docking for Power and Sail
author: Capt Ronald Redmond
description: Captains Ron &amp; Katherine Giampietro Redmond, USCG Licensed Captains, have been boating for over 30 years, including two years as liveaboards traversing up and down the Intracoastal Waterway and into the Bahamian chain. They are proprietors of the Sea Search School of Seamanship where they have taught more than 1700 students boating safety, navigation and boat docking. In addition, they are the authors of the following books: "Chartracker to the Intracoastal Waterway-Norfolk to Jacksonville" and "Chartracker Navigation Guide to the Florida Keys".
zlib_text: **Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv**[ **erter,
  http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html**](http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html)
  
  Back|Next
  
  Contents
  
  Fireships
  
  To Carolyn Ross
  
  Who's a long way away, but only physically
  
  ABOVE LILYMEAD
  
  June 1, Year 26 of Governor Halys
  
   **1000 hours, Venus time**
  
  "We can get one more aboard, Sal," called Tom Harrigan from the hatch of the
  lighter across the temporary orbital dock from the _Gallant Sallie._
  
  Captain Sarah—Sal—Blythe checked her vessel's hold and said, "No, let 'em go,
  Tom. We've got two turbines and the crate of spare rotors left, so there'll be
  a part-load anyway. Tell them to start bringing the return cargo on the next
  lift, though. We can have the last of this waiting in the dock and our hold
  clear by the time they get back up."
  
  The access tube connecting the lighter to the dock was three meters long. The
  valve at the inner end of the tube opened automatically when the air pressure
  on both sides was equal. The system formed a si