Lock operation #2 : inside the lock

Lock etiquette :
1) boats approaching from the "high water" side have precedence (i.e. if the lock is full, boats coming down have priority, and vice versa : this makes sense as it saves water and saves having to empty and re-fill the lock.)
2) if sharing a lock, take care to avoid bumping the other boat as far as possible - keep your boat under control.
3) where boats differ in size, the bigger boat has priority (the Spirit of Guiding usually wins this one hands-down!)
4) boat people are a friendly lot : be prepared for social chit-chat and small talk while passing through the lock!

Travelling up the canal (from low to high water) :

  1. (Check this page for approaching the lock) Enter the lock dead slow. Use your throttle in reverse and forward gears to control the boat and bring it to a halt alongside the lock wall. Close the gates behind the boat.
  2. Pass the bow and stern ropes to your shore crew : if the ropes are long enough, they can then be looped round a bollard and passed back to the deck crew, otherwise someone will have to hold them.*
  3. Lock operators should open the sluice in the top gate nearest the boat slowly and only half way : the water rushing into the lock will create turbulence which will push the boat towards the wall as it rises.
  4. As the turbulence subsides as the water gets deeper, the opposite sluice gate can be raised slowly to half way, then the first to fully open followed finally by the opposite one. Deck crew should tighten the ropes steadily, keeping the boat under control as it rises; skippers should keep the boat away from both sets of gates.
  5. When the water level in the canal and lock are equal, the gates can be swung open.
  6. Cast off, stow the ropes neatly and the boat proceed through at dead slow.
  7. Pull alongside and tie up the boat at the upper boat moorings to wait for shore crew.
  8. Shore crew must close all sluices (slowly - do not let them drop) and all gates; lock the windlasses if they are lockable. Some locks have to be left empty (see notices on the gates) - if necessary, drain lock again then re-close bottom sluices.
  9. Pick up shore crew, stow windlass handles and lock keys safely, cast off mooring ropes and proceed on your way!

*Tuel Lane lock uses a different system : the lock entrance is immediately after the Tuel Lane tunnel and so it is not possible to operate it yourself : follow the lock-keepers instructions : feed the ropes round the cables in the walls from "outside to inside" when going up in the lock.

Travelling down the canal (from high to low water) :

  1. (Check this page for approaching the lock) Enter the lock dead slow. Use your throttle in reverse and forward gears to control the boat and bring it to a halt alongside the lock wall. Close the gates behind the boat.
  2. Watch for "leaky walls" - moor at the other side if possible!
  3. Make sure all doors, hatches and windows are closed - see reference to "leaky walls."
  4. Pass the bow and stern ropes to your shore crew : if the ropes are going to be long enough, they can then be looped round a bollard and passed back to the deck crew, otherwise someone will have to hold them.*
  5. The bottom sluice gates can both be opened fully as they will not create turbulence in the lock when it is emptying.
  6. Skippers should keep a careful eye on the rear of the boat, making sure to avoid catching the stern on the cill below the lock gates : its position below the water will be indicated by white lines on the lock walls. Use the throttle to keep the boat in position - but avoid over-compensating and ramming the lock gates!
  7. When the water level in the canal and lock are equal, the gates can be swung open.
  8. Cast off, stow the ropes neatly and the boat proceed through at dead slow.
  9. Pull alongside and tie up the boat at the lower boat moorings to wait for shore crew.
  10. Shore crew must close all sluices (slowly - do not let them drop) and all gates; lock the windlasses if they are lockable.
  11. Pick up shore crew, stow windlass handles and lock keys safely, cast off mooring ropes and proceed on your way!

*Tuel Lane lock uses a different system : follow the lock-keepers instructions : he will probably expect you to ride up loose in the lock. The Spirit of Guiding is a tight fit in the lock so you will be close to both front and back gates : the top gates leak and will shower water all over the rear deck - and you! You MUST avoid the cill, as on all locks, and as the lock-keeper will be watching your every move, try not to bump the gates! NOTE : Tuel Lane Tunnel starts immediately after the lock : leave at the right hand side gate in order to get the best angle for the curve of the tunnel.

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