Sorry that you may have just had an expensive lesson (I am a class valedictorian and lifelong student of The School of Hard Knocks). There are going to be more public docks that will be damaged throughout the season with broken pilings or damaging hardware. You may even tie up to one and return to your boat and a part of the dock failed due to waves or natural conditions.
Fenders are a must and you need to protect your equipment. I believe all the towns take the position that you (reasonably) use the docks at your own risk.
I will also ask my wife to pass the rope to get her going!
