Abstract: Disclosed is a boat docking assistance device including a cable locking device/carriage assembly which slides along a cable/rope attached either to a boat or dock. According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage is pulled from the helm area of the boat towards the stern as the boat is docking with a resistance provided by a locking cam arrangement. The carriage is attached to a dock pile using a hoop type arrangement fastened to the sliding carriage by a rope, which is placed on the pile by a boat operator as the boat approaches the dock associated with the pile.