jecuk
Well-Known Member
So we are going to go out with Bisham for a day, but in the interim, what do we need to know about etiquette in locks? Engines off. Order, sides? All tips appreciated.
Lock etiquette
- Thread starter jecuk
- Start date
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
You are unlikely to encounter much traffic
- at this time of year and still with an active stream running, but here's a list in no particular order:-
<ul type="square">
Wait / stay moored until the lock keeper beckons you to enter.
Observe his directions as to which side to moor and how far up to go.
Don't jump the queue - unless the keeper "calls you in"
Have your lines ready to loop over the bollards.
Don't rush in, slam the engine(s) in reverse - with the result that your back end goes every-which-way, so that your crew can't get a line ashore efficiently.
Make it clear to following boats which side you intend to moor (folks behind may be about to position themselves to filter in on the other side of the lock - it all helps to fill the lock quickly and smoothly if they know what you're doing).
Don't treat the lock as your exclusive property and moor up in the middle, plan ahead and move up to the head, or be prepared to move up without being asked should, inevitably, boats appear 'out of nowhere'. There's nowt more infuriating to miss a locking because some selfish ignorant asterisk couldn't be asterisked again to move up. Many lockies have given up asking skippers to move as they often get some form of abuse when doing so.
If going upstream you're likely to be the only boat in the lock moor towards the back end - if you do the keeper can fill the lock more quickly without causing you any distress (i.e. he can let the water in faster).
One keeper (the previous incumbent at Shiplake) castigated me for using his furniture to stop my boat - a finer point of navigating.
Stop your engine(s) when you have made the boat secure
Turn off any radio or other sound generators.
Turn off any kettle or naked flame.
On leaving do NOT start your engines until at least the gates are open / opening.
It is good etiquette not to start your engine until the vessel ahead of you has started his.
It is polite to exit the lock in the order in which you entered, unless directed otherwise.
Be polite to the keeper; exchange seasons greetings, comment on his floral arrangements, whatever - just make him feel that he is doing something useful and that his presence counts.
Be prepared to exchange pleasantries with your fellow boaters, especially if one appears to be an EA launch (but isn't).
Do not hang about in mid stream if a space is available on a layby (everybody does it, mainly to save their gelcoat, but a boat not making headway has no control.
Although the lock infrastructures are pretty solid, don't cause undue turbulence by rushing or out, and similarly when using the laybyes.
Don't rush madly between locks, especially if you're towards the back. You won't enjoy the experience and may well miss the next lockfull any way. Just proceed at a reasonable pace; after all that's what you're on the river for, isn't it??
If the lock is unattended, read the instructions and pretend YOU are lock keeper with all the 'professionalism' that goes with the job
[/list]
Most of the points above are more about good practice than formal etiquette, but to my mind etiquette is rooted in good practice - even if some of that may well be out of date to modern eyes and deemed to be anachronistic.
Too many people treat the "lock experience" as an unpleasant interlude; best to be endured - not enjoyed. To me locks are part of boating and a welcome change from just moving along. Working through a lock should be done with care and it requires a lot more expertise than plain cruising.
.
- at this time of year and still with an active stream running, but here's a list in no particular order:-
<ul type="square">
Wait / stay moored until the lock keeper beckons you to enter.
Observe his directions as to which side to moor and how far up to go.
Don't jump the queue - unless the keeper "calls you in"
Have your lines ready to loop over the bollards.
Don't rush in, slam the engine(s) in reverse - with the result that your back end goes every-which-way, so that your crew can't get a line ashore efficiently.
Make it clear to following boats which side you intend to moor (folks behind may be about to position themselves to filter in on the other side of the lock - it all helps to fill the lock quickly and smoothly if they know what you're doing).
Don't treat the lock as your exclusive property and moor up in the middle, plan ahead and move up to the head, or be prepared to move up without being asked should, inevitably, boats appear 'out of nowhere'. There's nowt more infuriating to miss a locking because some selfish ignorant asterisk couldn't be asterisked again to move up. Many lockies have given up asking skippers to move as they often get some form of abuse when doing so.
If going upstream you're likely to be the only boat in the lock moor towards the back end - if you do the keeper can fill the lock more quickly without causing you any distress (i.e. he can let the water in faster).
One keeper (the previous incumbent at Shiplake) castigated me for using his furniture to stop my boat - a finer point of navigating.
Stop your engine(s) when you have made the boat secure
Turn off any radio or other sound generators.
Turn off any kettle or naked flame.
On leaving do NOT start your engines until at least the gates are open / opening.
It is good etiquette not to start your engine until the vessel ahead of you has started his.
It is polite to exit the lock in the order in which you entered, unless directed otherwise.
Be polite to the keeper; exchange seasons greetings, comment on his floral arrangements, whatever - just make him feel that he is doing something useful and that his presence counts.
Be prepared to exchange pleasantries with your fellow boaters, especially if one appears to be an EA launch (but isn't).
Do not hang about in mid stream if a space is available on a layby (everybody does it, mainly to save their gelcoat, but a boat not making headway has no control.
Although the lock infrastructures are pretty solid, don't cause undue turbulence by rushing or out, and similarly when using the laybyes.
Don't rush madly between locks, especially if you're towards the back. You won't enjoy the experience and may well miss the next lockfull any way. Just proceed at a reasonable pace; after all that's what you're on the river for, isn't it??
If the lock is unattended, read the instructions and pretend YOU are lock keeper with all the 'professionalism' that goes with the job
[/list]
Most of the points above are more about good practice than formal etiquette, but to my mind etiquette is rooted in good practice - even if some of that may well be out of date to modern eyes and deemed to be anachronistic.
Too many people treat the "lock experience" as an unpleasant interlude; best to be endured - not enjoyed. To me locks are part of boating and a welcome change from just moving along. Working through a lock should be done with care and it requires a lot more expertise than plain cruising.
.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: You are unlikely to encounter much traffic
What an excellent reply, I generaly try to stick to most of those rules it just makes the whole experience more pleasurable. Its such a shame the EA don't issue their little book with all these guidelines anymore, the little Thames Conservancey book was brilliant. Standards have slipped so recently.
What an excellent reply, I generaly try to stick to most of those rules it just makes the whole experience more pleasurable. Its such a shame the EA don't issue their little book with all these guidelines anymore, the little Thames Conservancey book was brilliant. Standards have slipped so recently.
FAITIRA
Well-Known Member
Excellent reply from Trueblue, it,s a pity his system has not been noted in S Brittany though, you certainly need a sense of humour there as well as boat handling skills The scramble at Vannes and Arzal is amazing/VERY amusing if you are well defended/fendered. Not for those worried about the topsides, guard rails etc. But well worth it for the pleasures once through the gates!
Mike_Gates
Well-Known Member
Re: You are unlikely to encounter much traffic
What a well thought out piece of work. Thank you. I have sent you a P.M.
All the best
What a well thought out piece of work. Thank you. I have sent you a P.M.
All the best
teddington_lock
Well-Known Member
Re: You are unlikely to encounter much traffic
TrueBlue ,
That's bang on !!
You are a gentleman , sir .... thank you !
I must say though , from a lockies perspective /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif that the vast majority of boaters I encounter are very friendly , approachable types - even at 4.30 in the morning !!
Had a few disagreements in my time about 'moving up' or closing the gap between boats as you said , but by and large everyone's usually pretty good.
The vast majority of us do try and be professional , and it's nice also that you acknowledge that .
Once again , many thanks !
TrueBlue ,
That's bang on !!
You are a gentleman , sir .... thank you !
I must say though , from a lockies perspective /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif that the vast majority of boaters I encounter are very friendly , approachable types - even at 4.30 in the morning !!
Had a few disagreements in my time about 'moving up' or closing the gap between boats as you said , but by and large everyone's usually pretty good.
The vast majority of us do try and be professional , and it's nice also that you acknowledge that .
Once again , many thanks !
FAITIRA
Well-Known Member
Re: You are unlikely to encounter much traffic
Re my post about Arzal and Vannes, the "lock keepers" there are absolutely great, it,s us "clients/clots" who I refer to! Bill.
Re my post about Arzal and Vannes, the "lock keepers" there are absolutely great, it,s us "clients/clots" who I refer to! Bill.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
A well oiled team?
A reminder whatever goes wrong it is YOUR fault,please do not make any minor cock ups even worse by hollering at your crew,its not their fault if you cannot put the boat in the right place at the right time.
Make it easy for your scurvy rabble of a crew to get that rope over the bollard/fender in the correct spot first time and bingo.
No thing worse than some bloke berating his wife for his own fopar and you will have to go through it all again at the next lock. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
A reminder whatever goes wrong it is YOUR fault,please do not make any minor cock ups even worse by hollering at your crew,its not their fault if you cannot put the boat in the right place at the right time.
Make it easy for your scurvy rabble of a crew to get that rope over the bollard/fender in the correct spot first time and bingo.
No thing worse than some bloke berating his wife for his own fopar and you will have to go through it all again at the next lock. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Oh, yes, absolutely,
But it's very galling when, having watched your crew throw their line - and it looks (pretty certain) that it has looped the bollard; you then get your line up - only to find that the crew has in fact muffed it - or changed (her) mind and moved it "imperfectly".
Still MY fault, but mildly irritating.
There's something (perhaps nerdy), but immensely satisfying in gliding into a lock; moving slowly, nearly standstill, shouting "your next (one)", both lines up, boat secure, engine off. Watch others making a mess of it.
of course doesn't always happen.....
Never mind, Next Time..
I never shout insults - well hardly ever, and that's why I'm the Captain of the Pinafore. TraLa
But it's very galling when, having watched your crew throw their line - and it looks (pretty certain) that it has looped the bollard; you then get your line up - only to find that the crew has in fact muffed it - or changed (her) mind and moved it "imperfectly".
Still MY fault, but mildly irritating.
There's something (perhaps nerdy), but immensely satisfying in gliding into a lock; moving slowly, nearly standstill, shouting "your next (one)", both lines up, boat secure, engine off. Watch others making a mess of it.
of course doesn't always happen.....
Never mind, Next Time..
I never shout insults - well hardly ever, and that's why I'm the Captain of the Pinafore. TraLa
DogsBody
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
[ QUOTE ]
There's something (perhaps nerdy), but immensely satisfying in gliding into a lock; moving slowly, nearly standstill, shouting "your next (one)", both lines up, boat secure, engine off. Watch others making a mess of it.
of course doesn't always happen.....
[/ QUOTE ]
Even better when you've done it single handed while the boat next to you with 3 crew has made a right C*** up of it!
[ QUOTE ]
There's something (perhaps nerdy), but immensely satisfying in gliding into a lock; moving slowly, nearly standstill, shouting "your next (one)", both lines up, boat secure, engine off. Watch others making a mess of it.
of course doesn't always happen.....
[/ QUOTE ]
Even better when you've done it single handed while the boat next to you with 3 crew has made a right C*** up of it!
teddington_lock
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
I agree , it's lovely from our perspective watching a well oiled machine at work ....
Slide in , lines out - gently , almost casually ( no one jumping off the boat or climbing up the lock wall , rope in hand ) , boat comes to a stop , engines off ..... lovely ...
Even better if it is done without the coffee grinder bowthruster /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I agree , it's lovely from our perspective watching a well oiled machine at work ....
Slide in , lines out - gently , almost casually ( no one jumping off the boat or climbing up the lock wall , rope in hand ) , boat comes to a stop , engines off ..... lovely ...
Even better if it is done without the coffee grinder bowthruster /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
[ QUOTE ]
Even better if it is done without the coffee grinder bowthruster /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates those washing machines full of gravel things, I'm not againest bow thrusters completely but some peeps do use them a bit excessively /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
In fact that should be added to the lock ettiquite list "minimal use of coffee grinder" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[ QUOTE ]
Even better if it is done without the coffee grinder bowthruster /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates those washing machines full of gravel things, I'm not againest bow thrusters completely but some peeps do use them a bit excessively /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
In fact that should be added to the lock ettiquite list "minimal use of coffee grinder" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
DogsBody
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
Agree terrible things, I've seen people steering the boat with them when going along!
I'm sure they have their uses when in a confined space but when underway?
Agree terrible things, I've seen people steering the boat with them when going along!
I'm sure they have their uses when in a confined space but when underway?
benjenbav
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
I feel a bit of a fraud adding any comments here, not being a river boater other than as an occasional spectator at Marsh lock. I do use a sea lock on a frequent basis though and, owing to personal circumstances, have had to develop the ability to go through on my own. My last boat was a planing boat with outdrives which was always a bit interesting at slow speeds. My current boat sits much deeper in the water and has a keel and is shaftdriven. This means it is easy - even for me - to glide into a lock, stop where I want and pause to light a metaphorical pipe (I don't actually smoke) before unhurriedly taking up the lines.
I feel a bit of a fraud adding any comments here, not being a river boater other than as an occasional spectator at Marsh lock. I do use a sea lock on a frequent basis though and, owing to personal circumstances, have had to develop the ability to go through on my own. My last boat was a planing boat with outdrives which was always a bit interesting at slow speeds. My current boat sits much deeper in the water and has a keel and is shaftdriven. This means it is easy - even for me - to glide into a lock, stop where I want and pause to light a metaphorical pipe (I don't actually smoke) before unhurriedly taking up the lines.
apollo
...
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
Was that before 11:00 AM? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Was that before 11:00 AM? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
jaws
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
As a coffee grinder owner I have to agree with minimal usage. They come in handy for getting away from the side without faffing around with springs. A couple of short bursts is all that's required. It annoys me when it's used as a 3rd engine to turn the boat. Great life saver if the wind catches you unexpectadly or you make a complete pigs ear of it all.
My excuse is the boat came with it as standard!
As a coffee grinder owner I have to agree with minimal usage. They come in handy for getting away from the side without faffing around with springs. A couple of short bursts is all that's required. It annoys me when it's used as a 3rd engine to turn the boat. Great life saver if the wind catches you unexpectadly or you make a complete pigs ear of it all.
My excuse is the boat came with it as standard!
jecuk
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
Thanks for all the responses. They didn't fit bow thrusters in 1934 so I won't have to worry about falling into that trap.
And on the single handed locks. I gather the most common method is glide in, stop the boat, run the aft line up to a midship cleat and then run around a bollard. Essentially holding the boat in from the middle suitably fendered.
And is the preferred not running around with fenders lowered rule relaxed for single handed sailors?
Thanks for all the responses. They didn't fit bow thrusters in 1934 so I won't have to worry about falling into that trap.
And on the single handed locks. I gather the most common method is glide in, stop the boat, run the aft line up to a midship cleat and then run around a bollard. Essentially holding the boat in from the middle suitably fendered.
And is the preferred not running around with fenders lowered rule relaxed for single handed sailors?
jaws
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
I think my crew would mutiny if she had to bring in the fenders after every lock!
I think my crew would mutiny if she had to bring in the fenders after every lock!
Brayman
Well-Known Member
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
Yes, you can leave the fenders out if single-handed.
Boats do look so good with the fenders up, so whenever you have crew make sure you keep them busy, otherwise they get slapdash, and that's where your lock problems stem from.
Yes, you can leave the fenders out if single-handed.
Boats do look so good with the fenders up, so whenever you have crew make sure you keep them busy, otherwise they get slapdash, and that's where your lock problems stem from.
apollo
...
Re: Oh, yes, absolutely,
Yeah leave the fenders down, you never know when you may need to tow a Birchwood whose run out of fuel!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Yeah leave the fenders down, you never know when you may need to tow a Birchwood whose run out of fuel!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
