What action should be taken if the wind or current is toward the dock?

When approaching a dock with wind or current pushing your boat toward it, the appropriate action is to cast off the stern line and secure the bow line to a mid-boat position. This technique stabilizes the boat by keeping the bow pointed into the wind or current, which helps maintain control and avoids a collision with the dock.

By securing the bow line at a mid-boat position, you effectively position the boat to pivot against the wind or current, allowing you to maneuver safely into the dock. This positioning also helps prevent the boat from being pushed sideways, which could lead to a problematic docking scenario.

Other options would not provide the needed control and safety in this situation. For instance, backing out slowly without securing the boat could lead to drifting uncontrolled into the dock or other obstacles. Moving forward at high speed is reckless and can be unsafe, increasing the chance of a collision. Finally, shifting into reverse would not be appropriate since it might exacerbate the risk of collision by failing to address the movement caused by the wind or current effectively.