What are they doing - ferry berthing question

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[The Ferry Man]

Hi

Watching the youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxuqXOsH4Lw

Of the Commodore Clipper berthing at Guernsey, and wondered if anyone knew what they are doing at around 6:20-6:50

The scene is the stern of the Clipper againset the berth, and a dockside crewman  seem to get what look like poles hanging from the stern and attach them to a "8" shaped piece of metal which is then attached to the berth. The ferry then seems to go slightly forward and the setup goes rigid. The pole seem to be more rigid then ordinary rope?

I have not seen this done before? Any ideas?

Thanks

TFM

[Ralphy]

what it looks like is that they attach the ramp to the ship then lower the ramp until is supported by the ship, i dont no why they do this maby its so the ramp of the ship gos fully down?

[mvsmith]

Hi TFM,

The metal piece is a clevis, although some might call it a shackle. The pin they insert is a clevis pin.
I think the idea is to have that end of the dock rise with the ship as she discharges her load. This is so that the metal ramp does not become too steep.

Regards,
Marty

[The Ferry Man]

Thanks 

[Traddles]

Whilst I was watching the video Marty came up with the correct answer I think. The two cables which were joined by the shackles are of an exact length when connected up such that the ramp and the dock move in unison as the ship rises when the vehicles leave her. A rather nifty idea I would say.

Angus.