What does "controlling a dockline" typically involve?

Controlling a dockline typically involves wrapping the line around a cleat. This key practice helps secure the vessel to the dock, ensuring that it remains in place and does not drift away due to wind or current. When a sailor wraps the dockline around the cleat, they create friction that holds the line in position, allowing for adjustments to be made as needed without the risk of the boat moving unpredictably.

While retrieving the line after docking is a part of the process, the more defining action of controlling a dockline is tying it securely. Throwing the line to a dockhand is often a preliminary step in the docking process but does not involve maintaining control over the line afterward. Raising the line to avoid obstruction is generally not relevant to the actual control of the dockline, as the primary focus is on securing the boat in a stable manner.