Dock with a windsock?

Looks like this windsock, from Airport Windsock Corp., has lost its way and ended up at a marina instead of an airport. But there are good reasons for a marina or yacht club dock to sport a windsock. A helmsman can judge the direction of the wind and its strength (the windsock pictured is rated to fully extend in 15 knots of breeze). Socks can also sport a useful message “No Wake•bCrLf, although most sailboats are maneuver-challenged at low speed and wouldn’t be leaving much of a wake anyway. So next time you see a windsock on the dock, take stock, make sure the wind doesn’t clock so into the dock you won’t knock and bystanders won’t mock &mdash or something along those lines.

By Ocean Navigator