STERN IN APPROACH TO A PIER
When docking stern in, use the location of the ship's pivot point as a reference when estimating both the distance that you should pass off the end of the pier, and the point at which you should turn away from the pier and begin backing. The angle of approach is less important when backing into a slip since the tugs are used to steer. Because the stern tends to walk to port when the engine is backed it is desirable to have a small angle toward the berth when docking starboard side to. If the tugs have a problem holding the ship at the desired angle, the engine and rudder can be used to assist, coming ahead for sufficient time to move the stern in the desired direction but not so long that the ship gains headway. The ship's engine can be used with ahead revolutions together with the rudder to steer the ship, while the tug continues to keep her moving astern by pulling in opposition to the ship's engine. Consider using a tug on a hawser in this situation.
Always avoid pushing with the tugs so long that excessive lateral motion is developed towards the berth, causing the ship to land heavily against the stringpiece. It is the lateral motion that the less experienced ship handler has the most difficulty detecting and controlling, and a mariner will never become a ship handler without being able to appreciate sideward motion.
The stern tug must not make fast until the ship has turned to bring her stern toward the slip and is dead in the water. The tug aft is of little help and may fall around under the counter and have an effect opposite to that desired. Preferably, the aft tug does not come alongside until the ship is entering the slip, since once fast, the after tug-by her weight and underwater profile alone sets the stern toward the pier as the ship comes astern. This effect is amplified when docking port side to since the stern tends to move to port anyway when the engine is going astern.
The bow tug is best made up with only a backing line so she simply follows the ship into the slip, trailing on the line in a position bow to bow with the ship. She comes ahead on either bow to steer the ship into the slip
