An improved pole support base mounted to a dock has means to pivot a housing supporting an inserted flexible pole and means to lock the pivoted pole in a vertical position to clear the pole from interfering with a vessel leaving from or returning to the dock. The pivotable housing and pole are manually lowered down to a determined desired degree to position the flexible pole and a line or rope that passes around a pulley at the end of the pole and is attached to a boat cleat to prevent possible damage owing to the vessel contacting the dock.