Is there a new code to mooring?

Weathers been up and down all day, one minute torrential downpours and the next cold and dry. With the weather forecast still fresh in my mind this morning I thought I would take Jade out earlier rather then later. Unfortunately I didn't quite make it back to FS when the heavens opened and Jade and I had to make a dash for it.

Taking shelter under the bridge. FS is only a short run away and I had hoped this was a short shower, but no such luck.

 Not many boats were moored at Branston but this was one of the few that arrived yesterday afternoon. On my way back and, bearing in mind the time was just after 8am with no sign of life on the boat (curtains still drawn), I noticed, and thought odd, that his boarding plank and boat pole was lying on the ground rather then on the roof. The plank was at the bow and the pole at the stern stretching from the boats rudder to the length of the staff. Now why would a boater leave plank and pole on the ground over night? It was just asking for them to be pinched. Then I had another thought. Was this a way of saying he didn't want any other boats to moor near to him? Is this a new code that has gone round the new age boaters and us old timers have had no knowledge off? I would be interested if anyone else has come across this and also if we should all adopt this method? Both Ian and I hate gaps left between boats and always pull up to another boat even sharing rings, and we both feel this should be the norm rather then the exception to the rule. Your comments would be most welcomed.

Only had my telephoto lens on the camera so couldn't get a distance shot but I think you can get the gist of it.