US20140069312A1

US20140069312A1 - Boat docking assistance device

Info

Publication number: US20140069312A1
Application number: US14/024,168
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph V. Pease, Jr.; Joseph V. Pease, III; Michael C. Mahar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-11
Filing date: 2013-09-11
Publication date: 2014-03-13

Abstract

Disclosed is a boat docking assistance device including a cable locking device/carriage assembly which slides along a cable/rope attached either to a boat or dock. According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage is pulled from the helm area of the boat towards the stern as the boat is docking with a resistance provided by a locking cam arrangement. The carriage is attached to a dock pile using a hoop type arrangement fastened to the sliding carriage by a rope, which is placed on the pile by a boat operator as the boat approaches the dock associated with the pile.

Description

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/699,509, filed Sep. 11, 2012, by Joseph V. Pease Jr. et al, entitled “BOAT DOCKING ASSISTANCE DEVICE” and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to boat line handling, and, in particular, to an assembly for use in safely docking boats alongside a dock.
An operator of a powerboat has no real control over the bow of their boat when in idle forward motion, unless the boat is equipped with bow thrusters. For this reason, operators of powerboats do not generally take their boat out alone because getting into and out of their dock presents significant challenges.
Docking a boat typically requires that someone on board the boat either connect a line to the dock or jump to the dock with a line or that someone on the dock assist with such a line. In a situation when only the boat operator is present, such a method is particularly difficult to perform since the boat operator must leave their position at the steering wheel or outboard motor control such that the boat's direction and velocity is, at least temporarily, not controlled. Such a lack of control can lead to damage to the boat, dock, pier or other boats in the area as well as injury to the boat operator. Inclement weather conditions including high winds and rain and rough water further increase the difficulty encountered by a single boat operator attempting to dock a boat and may escalate such damage or injury.
In addition, for all but the most skilled boater, docking a boat alongside a dock often involves an abrupt stop to the boat's velocity and may include bumping into the dock or other boats. While such minor collisions have negligible results taken singly, over time these impacts can result in damage to the boat or dock.
Therefore, there is a need in the field of docking boats for a boat docking assistance device which allows a single boat operator to dock a boat safely alongside a dock without allowing the boat to drift uncontrollably.
There is also a need in the field for a boat docking assistance device which requires only an initial connection between the boat and dock before the device manipulates the boat into position alongside the dock. There is a further need for allowing such an initial connection to be performed before the boat enters the dockside position.
Moreover, there is a need in the field of boat docking for a boat docking assistance device which provides for proper docking with minimal impact between the boat and the dock.
Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved boat docking assistance device which meets one or more of these addressed needs.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0194685, published Oct. 7, 2004, by Slater, entitled “Boat Docking Assembly and Method of Use Thereof” is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of this disclosure, described is a boat docking assistance device. The device comprises a cable locking device configured to selectably slide along a cable with a first predetermined sliding resistance and configured to selectably slide along the cable with a second predetermined resistance, and the cable locking device configured to attach to a dock line, the second predetermined sliding resistance greater than the first predetermined sliding resistance.
In another embodiment of this disclosure, described is another boat docking assistance device. The device comprises a cable including a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end configured to be fixed to a first point on a boat, and the second longitudinal end configured to be fixed to a second point on the boat, the first point on the boat located nearer to a bow associated with the boat, relative to a stern associated with the boat, and the second point on the boat located nearer to the stern associated with the boat; a cable locking device configured to selectably slide along the cable with a first predetermined sliding resistance and configured to selectably slide along the cable with a second predetermined sliding resistance, and the cable locking device configured to attach to a dock line; and a loop operatively connected to the cable locking device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a boat approaching a slip according to an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, wherein the cable is fixed to the boat.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a boat entering a slip alongside a dock and showing the initial connection of the dock line to the dock piling as the boat enters the slip for docking according to an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, wherein the cable is fixed to the boat.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a boat in its final position in a slip alongside a dock using an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, wherein the cable is fixed to the boat.

FIGS. 4A-4C are detail views of an exemplary embodiment of a cable locking device according to this disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are assembly views of the exemplary embodiment of a cable locking device illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A-6G include additional detail views of the exemplary embodiment of a cable locking device illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cable locking device, cable and loop arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8D include detail views of a loop arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9D include detail views of a stopper according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a boat approaching a slip according to an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, wherein the cable is fixed to the dock.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a boat entering a slip alongside a dock and showing the initial connection of the dock line to the dock pile as the boat enters the slip for docking according to an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, wherein the cable is fixed to the dock.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a boat in its final position in a slip alongside a dock using an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, wherein the cable is fixed to the dock.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a Boat Docking Carriage assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an assembly view of the Boat Docking Carriage shown in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15A-15E include detail views of the Boat Docking Carriage shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a Boat Docking Carriage Handle assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an assembly view of the Boat Docking Carriage Handle assembly shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a Boat Docking Carriage Handle shown in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 19A and 19B include detail views of the Boat Docking Carriage Handle shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed in the Background section, this disclosure and the exemplary embodiments provided herein, provide a Boat Docking Assistance Device.
Described below and illustrated in the figures are two examples of an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to this disclosure, however, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to only the example embodiments described herein.
There are three major parts of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, as further described with reference to FIGS. 1-12 below, i.e. example 1.

Part #1 (“Cable”)

For example, a plastic coated metallic cable. The cable is looped at both ends. One end wraps around the rear/stern most cleat and the other wraps around a cleat near the helm of the boat, usually about mid-boat. The cable should be adjustable so that it is taught around the cleats. The cable acts as a guide for Part #2 described below.

Part #2 (“Cable Locking Device”)

A long, skinny ellipse with a center hole through the length. The cable described above is fed through the hole of the cable locking device. The cable locking device has within itself a mechanism that can grab the cable and act as a brake, resisting motion as the cable locking device moves along the cable. The mechanism is controlled by a lever that extends outside the cable locking device. The user can either turn the brake on or off using this lever. When the lever is turned off, the cable locking device moves along the cable with ease in either direction. When the lever is turned on, the cable locking device has significant resistance to motion moving along the cable in either direction.

Part #3 (“Dock Line”)

The dock line may be configured with a loop for placing over a dock pile. According to one exemplary embodiment, it has an aluminum handle with plastic-coated metallic cable coming out one end and coming back to the same end to create a large loop. The other end of the handle has a rope attached to it and the other end of the rope is attached to the cable locking device. There is an adjustment for the rope length built into the handle of the racket so that the user can define the distance between the cable locking device and the racket.
In general, the Boat Docking Assistance Device operates as follows. When the operator of the boat is docking, the cable locking device should be next to the helm along the cable, with the brake turned on. The racket, which is connected to the cable locking device by rope, is sitting next to the operator within reach. The operator docks the boat normally which is to get the boat parallel and close to the dock. When the operator of the boat is physically close to the first pile of the dock, the operator takes hold of the dock line loop and places the loop over a dock piling. The operator then pulls on the rope that connects the cable locking device to the dock line loop to decrease the distance between the cable locking device and the dock line loop. The operator then keeps the boat in near-idle forward motion. The rope that connects the cable locking device to the dock line loop will quickly become tight, and at this point the cable locking device is functioning as a brake. This braking action not only slows the boat, but also torques the bow of the boat into the dock. The cable locking device reaches the end of the cable at the stern of the boat and will not move further along the cable.
Now the boat cannot move forward, and it does not need to because it is completely in the dock. With the engine still running in idle forward drive, the bow of the boat will be under constant torque towards the dock. The operator can now leave the helm and tie off the back of the boat and even exit the boat and tie off the bow. Once the boat is secured to the dock in an acceptable way, the operator can shut off the docked boat and finish securing the boat to the dock.
Described below are more details of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a boat docking system in accordance with the present disclosure is generally illustrated. The boat docking system includes a cable 8, cable locking device 12 and an attachable/detachable dock line loop 10 for positioning the boat in a slip alongside a dock. The dock 26 typically extends from a pier and often includes several vertical pilings 20, 22, 24, etc. As shown, the dock line loop 10 is placed on the piling as the boater approaches the dock.
The boat includes a midship cleat 6 and an aft cleat 4 to which first and second ends of cable 8 are fixed. Notably, the cable may be kept within the boat and can be positioned tautly along the side of the boat as the boat approaches the dock. Alternatively, one or two more cables may be fixed to the boat on one or both sides of the boat to enable docking the boat port or starboard side. The cable locking device is slidingly attached to the cable. Such attachment is typically accomplished by passing the cable through a hole in the cable lock assembly. The hole is preferably sized such that the cable locking device 12 may slide along the cable until contacting a stop 14 which is typically fixed at a position on the cable toward the second/aft end. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the dock line attached to the cable 8 includes a loop which is designed to facilitate connection with the vertical piling.
FIG. 1 depicts the boat as it approaches the dock. The cable 8 is positioned tautly along the side of the boat. When the boat is near the dock, the boat operator, or another person, connects the dock line loop to the cable locking device and places the loop of the racket over the dock piling. The dock line loop may be manually held as the boat moves toward the piling or supported by a pole supported by the boat operator, another person or the boat.
FIG. 2 depicts the initial connection between the cable locking device, the dock line loop and the dock piling. After connection, the boat's forward movement causes the cable locking device to slide until the stop 14 contacts the cable locking device.
FIG. 3 depicts the final position of the boat, cable locking device, the dock line loop and the dock piling.
FIGS. 4A-4C are views of one exemplary embodiment of a cable locking device 12 as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. As shown, the cable locking device includes an upper case 30, a lower case 32 and a dock line attachment hole 29.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are assembly views of the cable locking device shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. Notably, FIG. 5B includes a feed through hole 29A, 29B and 29C to provide a means to attach a dock line loop. The cable locking device, as shown, includes a lower case 34, an upper case 30, a squash plate 42, a center plate 32, a series of gears 50, 52, 40, 38 and 36, and a lever 44. Other components included in the device are lock nuts 80, 82, spring pins 46 and 48, studs 31 and 33, shoulder bolts 50, 52, 53 and 60-74, and spring assemblies 81 and 83.
Assembly Instruction for Football
Parts:
(2) 10-24 Lock nut
(2) Spring pin
(2) ¼-20 stud
(1) Coated cable
(1) Center plate
(1) Lock lever
(1) Lower housing
(8) No 10-24×⅜ LG
(2) No 10-24×⅞ LG
(1) ¼×½ LG shoulder bolt (“modified shoulder bolt”)
(4) Belleville spring assembly
(1) Squash plate
(1) Upper housing
(2) Small spur gear
(1) Large spur gear
Assembly Instructions:

1. Start with the center plate 32. This plate is CNC machined aluminum, which has various threaded holes.
2. Put the coated cable 8 through the hole in one end of the center plate 32 and out the hole in the other end of the center plate 32.
3. Attach the squash plate 42 to the center plate 32 by screwing the squash plate 42 onto the center plate 32 with two (2) No 10-24×⅞ LG bolts 50 and 52 and two (2) 10-24 lock nuts 80 and 82. Between the lock nuts and the squash plate, place two (2) Belleville springs 81 and 83 on each bolt.
4. The coated cable should ride in a recess between the squash plate 42 and the center plate 32. This recess is the same shape as the coated cable.
5. Slide the small spur gears 38 and 40 onto the corresponding ¼-20 studs 33 and 31.
6. Install the spring pins 46 and 48 into the small spur gears 38 and 40 through the ¼-20 studs 31 and 33.
7. Screw the ¼-20 studs 31 and 33 with small spur gears through the center plate 32. The studs should just touch the squash plate 42, not put force onto it.
8. Attach the lock lever 44 to the large spur gear 36.
9. Screw the modified shoulder bolt 53 into the center plate 32, between the two (2) ¼-20 studs 31 and 33.
10. Attach the large spur gear 36 with lock lever onto the modified shoulder bolt 53 so that the lock lever 44 is approximately perpendicular to the line made between the ¼-20 studs 31 and 33.
11. Attach the upper housing 30 to the center plate 32 using four (4) No 10-24×⅜ LG bolts 68, 70, 72 and 74.
12. Attach the lower housing 34 to the center plate 32 using four (4) No 10-24×⅜ LG bolts 60, 62, 64 and 66.

Installation of Cable to Locking Device:
The cable locking device slides along the cable. When you remove the loops from the cable, the cable locking device can slide on or off the cable. The removal of the loops happens at the turn-buckle.
Adjusting Cable Locking Resistance:
To adjust the resistance of the cable locking device, bolts 50 and 52 are tightened or loosened to set the amount the two plates squeeze the cable, thus changing the resistance. According to one exemplary embodiment, a dial or other control outside of the device can be used to adjust this friction (not shown).
With reference to FIGS. 6A-6G, illustrated is the cable locking device in a locked position and an unlocked position.
With reference to FIG. 7, illustrated is a detailed view of the cable locking device attached to a cable fixed to a boat and a dock line according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.
With reference to FIGS. 8A-8D, illustrated is a loop arrangement, also referred to as a racket, for placing over a pile according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The loop is secured to a dock line which is attached to the cable locking device. Additional details of the loop illustrated are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0194685 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
As shown, the racket includes a loop which is preferably made of cable 104 or rope which is connected at each end to a clamp 102. A sleeve 100 provides the rope with durability. The preferred sleeve 100 is comprised of firm plastic. FIG. 8B shows a top view of clamp with internal cavities 110 and 112 depicted by dashed lines for clarity. The clamp 102 is preferably formed by a top 117 and bottom 119 half, which are connected by fasteners 116 and 118. The clamp forms a hole 106 which attaches to the dock line attached to the cable locking device. To create the loop, each end of the rope is placed in a cavity of the bottom half (or top half). Studs can extend into the rope and prevent it from moving within the cavity. The halves are then mated such that the studs from the other half also extend into the rope. Fasteners 116 and 118 are tightened so that each end of the rope is fixed in position within the cavities.
With reference to FIGS. 9A-9D, illustrated is a stopper 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The stop 14, similar to the clamp, is formed by a top 120 and bottom 122 half. A single cavity is formed when the halves are mated. Also formed is a flange which has a greater radius than the rest of the stop to provide a surface to contact the cable locking device. The cable is placed in the cavity of one of the halves and the halves are mated. Fasteners are then inserted into the halves to fix the stop in position.
Additional details of a similar stopper are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0194685.
With reference to FIG. 10, illustrated is a boat as it approaches a dock, wherein the cable is fixed to the dock and the cable locking device selectably slides along the cable attached to the dock.
With reference to FIG. 11, illustrated is the boat of FIG. 10 entering the dock, wherein the cable is fixed to the dock and the cable locking device selectably slides along the cable attached to the dock.
With reference to FIG. 12, illustrated is the boat of FIGS. 10 and 11 in its final position, wherein the cable is fixed to the dock and the cable locking device selectably slides along the cable attached to the dock.
Now described below and illustrated in FIGS. 13-19 is another example of an exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device, i.e. example 2.
Boat Docking Carriage

Part #1 (“Dock Line”)

The dock line referenced has the same general function as the “cable” previously described.
The dock line is made generally from standard dock line, but could be any sort of line. For example, the dock line may be made of a synthetic or natural fiber, such as nylon, polypropylene, polyester, etc. The dock line may have a loop on one end, where the loop is attached to a cleat near the stern of the boat. There is also a stopper forward of the loop to ultimately stop the “docking carriage” from sliding. The free end of the dock line can be tightened and secured to a cleat near the helm of the boat. The “docking carriage” rides along the dock line and creates resistance with it.

Part #2 (“Docking Carriage”)

The docking carriage is a molded plastic part with components within. The device is comprised of two pieces of plastic, an upper housing and a lower housing, that when secured together with end caps create an elliptical part. The two halves form a channel that goes through the centerline of the device. The dock line rides in this channel. Within the channel there is a locking cam and a dowel pin that act as a multi-resistance clutch. These are designed such that when the docking carriage is moving along the dock line in one direction, the locking cam separates from the dowel pin resulting in minimal resistance (first prescribed resistance). When the docking carriage is moving in the opposite direction, the locking cam tightens onto the dowel pin resulting in a higher resistance (second prescribed resistance). A hole through the docking carriage forms after the two halves are secured together. This hole is for attaching the docking carriage to the docking carriage handle.

Part #3 (“Docking Carriage Handle” or “Handle”)

The handle is comprised of two molded plastic halves (top and bottom) that are secured together to form a y-shaped handle. Within the handle is a channel that holds a metal cable. This metal cable is crimped within the handle for strength and extends out to form a loop. Hydraulic hose surrounds the metal cable to prevent damage to the boat. Near the bottom of the handle there is a hole formed after the two halves are secured together. This hole is for attaching the handle to the docking carriage.
Described below and illustrated in FIGS. 13-19 are further details of the exemplary embodiment of a Boat Docking Assistance Device according to example 2 of this disclosure. For purposes of describing the Boat Docking Assistance Device illustrated in FIGS. 13-19, the cable locking device 12, previously described, is now functionally referenced as a Boat Docking Carriage 200 and the attachable/detachable dock line with loop 10, previously described, is now functionally referenced as a Docking Carriage Handle Assembly 251.
With reference to FIG. 13, show is a Boat Docking Assistance Device carriage 200, previously referenced functionally as a “football”. The carriage 200 includes an upper housing 202 and a lower housing 204, which are made of plastic. As shown in assembly FIG. 14, two threaded aluminum end caps 206 and 208 are used to fasten the upper housing 2020 to the lower housing 204. In addition, an aluminum locking cam 210 and polyurethane dowel pin 212 arrangement provide the resistance necessary when the carriage 200 is pulled from the helm to the stern as previously described, where the hinged locking piece squeezes a rope used in place of the previously described cable 8, creating a resistance to motion. After docking, the carriage 200 is pulled from the stern to the helm area along the rope with minimal resistance to reset the Boat Docking Assistance Device.
With reference to FIG. 15A, shown is a top view of the carriage 250;
FIG. 15B is a detail view; FIG. 15C is a side view of the carriage 250; FIG. 15D is a cross sectional view of carriage 250 showing the locking cam/dowel arrangement; and FIG. 15E is an end view of carriage 250.
With reference to FIGS. 16-19, described now is another exemplary embodiment of the previously described attachable/detachable dock line with loop 10. For purposes of this description, the illustrated attachable/detachable dock line with loop is referenced as a Docking Carriage Handle Assembly 251.
As shown in FIG. 16, the Docking Carriage Handle Assembly includes a hydraulic hose 252 which encases a cable (not shown) which is fastened to a carriage handle 250.
As shown in the carriage handle assembly of FIG. 17, the carriage handle 250 includes a top piece 254 and a bottom piece 256 which are fastened together with fasteners 258, 260, 262, 264, 266 and 268; and their respective nuts 270, 272, 274, 276, 278 and 280.
The cable (not shown) encased in hydraulic hose 252 is crimped with crimps 290 and 292, and is seated in the channel provided by the mating of the top piece 254 and bottom piece 256.
With reference to FIG. 18, illustrated is the mating of the top piece 254 and bottom piece 256 of carriage handle 250.
FIGS. 19A and 19B provide additional detail views of carriage handle 250.
While the disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments by way of illustration, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A boat docking assistance device comprising:

a cable locking device configured to selectably slide along a cable with a first predetermined sliding resistance and configured to selectably slide along the cable with a second predetermined resistance, and the cable locking device configured to attach to a dock line, the second predetermined sliding resistance greater than the first predetermined sliding resistance.

2. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the cable locking device is configured to slide along a cable including a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end configured to be fixed to a first point on a boat, and the second longitudinal end configured to be fixed to a second point on the boat, the first point on the boat located nearer to a bow associated with the boat, relative to a stern associated with the boat, and the second point on the boat located nearer to the stern associated with the boat.

3. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the cable locking device is configured to be attached to a dock line including an attachable/detachable loop for securing to a dock.

4. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, the cable locking device including a resistance selector control.

5. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, the cable locking device including a control to set the second predetermined resistance at one of a plurality of resistances.

6. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, the cable locking device including a squash plate configured to apply the second predetermined sliding resistance.

7. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 6, the cable locking device including one or more gears operatively associated with a lever, the lever and gears used to apply the second predetermined sliding resistance.

8. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 6, the squash plate configured to apply the first predetermined sliding resistance.

9. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, the cable locking device configured to slide into one or more stops operatively connected to the cable.

10. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the cable is made of metal or spectra braid and the tension of the cable is configured to be adjustable after the cable is fixed to the first and second points on the boat.

11. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the cable locking device is substantially football shaped and a cable feed through hole extends from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end of the football shaped cable locking device.

12. A boat docking assistance device comprising:

a cable including a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end configured to be fixed to a first point on a boat, and the second longitudinal end configured to be fixed to a second point on the boat, the first point on the boat located nearer to a bow associated with the boat, relative to a stern associated with the boat, and the second point on the boat located nearer to the stern associated with the boat;

a cable locking device configured to selectably slide along the cable with a first predetermined sliding resistance and configured to selectably slide along the cable with a second predetermined sliding resistance, and the cable locking device configured to attach to a dock line; and

a loop operatively connected to the cable locking device.

13. A boat docking assistance device comprising:

a docking carriage configured to slide towards a stern of a boat along a rope attached alongside a boat with a first sliding resistance provided by a locking cam in a first position and slide towards a bow of the boat along the rope with a second sliding resistance provided by the locking cam in a second position, the first sliding resistance greater than the second sliding resistance, and

the docking carriage configured to attach to a loop independent of the rope attached alongside the boat.

14. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 13, the carriage comprising:

an upper housing;

a lower housing;

a locking cam; and

a dowel pin.

15. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 13, wherein the carriage includes a hole to attach a loop independent of the rope attached to the boat.

16. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 13, further comprising

a rope adapted to be attached near the stern of the boat and substantially near the helm of the boat.

17. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 16, further comprising:

a docking carriage handle assembly configured to be attached to the docking carriage, the docking carriage handle including a loop.

18. The boat docking assistance device according to claim 17, wherein the docking carriage handle includes a cable within a non-marking material operatively attached to a docking carriable handle.