When there was a floating dock in Lerwick we used wires and winches to line up the vessels into the dock and hold them in place as the water was pumped out.
Then wooden props where put in place between the ships side and the side of the dock to hold them upright.

What's going on here apart from the obvious dry-docking procedure? The guy, upper left, taking photo's. Would he be the ship's agent or surveyor? The object protruding from the water - looks like a wooden prop, perhaps. Interesting to note, the use of the rope blocks and pulleys in this modern era. I guess there's always a use for them.