Lock Etiquette Question

[GAJ52]

Coming into Penton Hook Lock yesterday I was called in by the lock keeper and asked to go to the island side of the lock. A small four seat motor boat was tied up on the path side, but we went passed him so he was now well behind us. When the lock opened I moved off when the boats in front exited but I could hear mutterings from the small boat that decided to try and overtake me in the lock, as I had a 37' Birchwood I couldn't' see him and politely suggested it would have been safer to let me go first as I was already in front.

Just wondering what others think ?

 

[apollo]

Agreed

 

[jon wilmot]

Keep a small cannon on board for settling minor disputes such as this.

 

[byron]

You were quite right. Once the Lockie had changed the order of play then that's it.

 

[Actionmat]

Did the Lock Keeper intervene when the small boat tried to overtake in the lock?

 

[guernseyman]

When single-handing through a lock in North Brittany, I usually wait till the lock is filling up with boats, so that I can hand ropes to another crew rather than throw them up to the lockside. This has the effect sometimes of putting me at the front, and first to go, with the result that I get first choice of the berths. It doesn't seem quite fair to me.

 

[Chris_d]

What you did is logical but in such a situation it is polite to ask the boat you have overtaken if you can go first.
As the correct etiquette is to leave in the order you entered you were a bit rude assuming might is right.

 

[bumperdump]

You was nearest to the gates logical to go first. Not the end of the world for the other boat.

 

[GAJ52]

What you did is logical but in such a situation it is polite to ask the boat you have overtaken if you can go first.
As the correct etiquette is to leave in the order you entered you were a bit rude assuming might is right.

As Byron said the Lockie changed the order of play not me, I think calling me rude is a bit harsh as I was more concerned with safety. When I realised what he was doing I stopped and let him squeeze through. Surprisingly the Lock Keeper said nothing to either of us.

 

[VicS]

. Surprisingly the Lock Keeper said nothing to either of us.

Probably just quietly thought to himself " Silly buggers. It's a lock not an F1 starting grid."

 

[Chris_d]

As Byron said the Lockie changed the order of play not me, I think calling me rude is a bit harsh as I was more concerned with safety. When I realised what he was doing I stopped and let him squeeze through. Surprisingly the Lock Keeper said nothing to either of us.

Sorry if that sounded harsh but this is undoubtedly how it came across to the skipper of the small boat, hence the muttering.
Having been in exactly the same position ( possibly the same lock) it is prudent to check with the skipper of the boat you have passed as he might assume rightly or wrongly that it is his turn to go, so for your own gel coats safety it's a good idea to check that he is not going to leave before you. Yes the Lockie ordered you there and the small boat should probably have moved further up, but assumptions are the mothers if all **** ups

 

[Brightside]

Coming into Penton Hook Lock yesterday I was called in by the lock keeper and asked to go to the island side of the lock. A small four seat motor boat was tied up on the path side, but we went passed him so he was now well behind us. When the lock opened I moved off when the boats in front exited but I could hear mutterings from the small boat that decided to try and overtake me in the lock, as I had a 37' Birchwood I couldn't' see him and politely suggested it would have been safer to let me go first as I was already in front.

Just wondering what others think ?

I recall from the RYA Course that the lead boat as a matter of etiquette is the one who should exit first notwithstanding that boat may not have been the first boat in to the lock. IMHO the four seat motor boat was wrong.

 

[GAJ52]

Many thanks for all the very helpful comments

 

[Hugh Foulis]

Why is it such an issue for some people that if they entered a lock before you did, they should leave before you do, no matter what the relevant position of each in the lock? GAJ52, I would have done what you did. I might have tried to catch the eye of the other fellow and smile or indicate in some other way an acknowledgement that we have swapped positions on the starting grid, I probably would not have let him pass me in the lock; confined space maneuvering equals greatest potential for cock up.
The thing is, why does it matter? Someone passes me in a lock so what? The very worst thing I can imagine happening to me if I am late is that I have to choose a different pub or deplete the boat stock and refill at a shop next day. I go boating to relax, not to take on a rush-hour mentality.

 

[Flynnbarr]

A Gentleman should catch the eye of the boat passed and the Gentleman on the passed boat should cheerily wave you off.
Don't worry about it GAJ52,the fact you are asking means you must be a Gentleman

 

[Mirror Painter]

It will all be much easier soon when there are no lock keepers.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I could hear mutterings from the small boat that decided to try and overtake me in the lock

Knob...

 

[Phill]

The thing is, why does it matter? Someone passes me in a lock so what? The very worst thing I can imagine happening to me if I am late is that I have to choose a different pub or deplete the boat stock and refill at a shop next day. I go boating to relax, not to take on a rush-hour mentality.

I don't think that is the issue here. the worst thing that can happen if you are overtaken in a lock, is that your boat can get damaged. As far as I'm concerned, I don't mind which order we are called into the lock, (to aid packing) but common sense dictates we should leave in the same order.

 

[Chris_d]

I don't think that is the issue here. the worst thing that can happen if you are overtaken in a lock, is that your boat can get damaged. As far as I'm concerned, I don't mind which order we are called into the lock, (to aid packing) but common sense dictates we should leave in the same order.

Exactly! you have confirmed what the small boat guy thought hence the misunderstanding

Generally this only seem to happen at locks from Romney downwards where overtaking in the larger locks is more easy.

 

[mlines]

I don't think that is the issue here. the worst thing that can happen if you are overtaken in a lock, is that your boat can get damaged. As far as I'm concerned, I don't mind which order we are called into the lock, (to aid packing) but common sense dictates we should leave in the same order.

Not sure I agree with the common sense dictating leaving in same order. During busy period locks tend to fill with the larger boats and then pack with the smaller boats. Therefore it makes sense that the smaller boats then leave first in order to give room to the larger boats. Being a smaller boat we are often called forward from the back of the queue to help fill the lock by packing alongside a larger boat, we then leave first to give back the room (although this is usually by mutual consent with the larger boat).