Dockside Grit: East Coast Boat Docking

Dockside Grit dives into the high-octane world of Chesapeake Bay boat docking contests, where watermen and women trade daily labor for fierce, fast-paced competition. In this time-honored tradition, captains throttle their powerful workboats into narrow slips with precision, throwing lines and looping pilings in a race against the clock. These photographs capture the adrenaline, skill, and pride that define the event—weathered hands on the wheel, roaring engines, and cheers from dockside crowds. It’s more than a show of speed; it’s a display of mastery, legacy, and the deep bond between watermen and the boats they command.