Dan admits calling for someone on the dock to help was desperation. I can't count how many times I have seen someone on a dock, a well meaning by-stander or dock staff, grab a bow line and wrap it tight around a cleat while the boat is still moving just to have the boat turn into the dock even when there is a lot of room and no need for an abrupt stop. It almost happened to me yesterday, I had to yell at someone not to pull on the line.