Lock keeper complaints

[Old Crusty]

On the Thames, the single biggest complaint to the EA is the lack of lock keepers or keepers not offering to help boaters.

Down in Wiltshire on the K&A, the CRT has just reported that some narrow boaters are complaining that volunteer lock keepers are offering to help boaters through locks when they don't want any assistance. And then complain that there's rarely volunteers on duty at weekends.

I leave you to draw your own conclusions though I'm minded to think like the hecklers at Hampton Court recently!

 

[Chill]

It varys from lock to lock, some Keepers and assistants go out of their way to help and others stand as if they are attached to the control boxes.
Was not impressed with one particular volunteer a few weeks ago when we had the family aboard for a day trip. Entering a very large lock with one other boat ahead of us and nobody behind us. The crew were all standing on the port side as had just untied from the waiting bit. was proceeding to tie up on the same side in the lock but he insisted we moor the opposite side. What a tosser just wanted to exercise the little bit of power he had.

 

[No Regrets]

You simply can't please everybody.

While it might be nice to have a team of 24/7 full qualified lock keepers, resplendent in freshly pressed white shirts waving one through a lock with white gloves and subtitles for the deaf, it's simply not realistic or what boating is about.

Likewise it would be easy to complain about the shoddy helming and general line throwing ability of some of the probable complainants, although most of the Kennet boaters are most likely sifting through the freshly exposed mud for all the items they dropped overboard in recent months...

Sure, some of the volunteers can be good or bad, but they are volunteers, so why have a go at them!? Perhaps some of the people who complain there is nobody to press a couple of buttons for them might consider learning how to single-hand their vessels when they need to?

No solution either way really...

 

[No Regrets]

It varys from lock to lock, some Keepers and assistants go out of their way to help and others stand as if they are attached to the control boxes.
Was not impressed with one particular volunteer a few weeks ago when we had the family aboard for a day trip. Entering a very large lock with one other boat ahead of us and nobody behind us. The crew were all standing on the port side as had just untied from the waiting bit. was proceeding to tie up on the same side in the lock but he insisted we moor the opposite side. What a tosser just wanted to exercise the little bit of power he had.

I flatly ignore any unreasonable requests and clearly state my reasoning. There is nothing any errant operator of a lock can do if you stand your ground for good reasons. Only once or twice a year however, mostly they are fine. Sometimes they try to cram in a last boat, which you all know shouldn't fit, and sometimes you get an acerbic comment you don't think you deserve, in which case it's easy to not comply.

 

[oldgit]

Am going to guess that the raison d'être for staff to be present at any lock is purely for the safe and competent operation of the plant , therebye enabling a smooth and speedy transit for river users.
While most lockies would find it very difficult to stand by and watch someone struggle , suspect nowhere it is written down that they are obliged to assist anyone, other than to prevent incidents or accidents.
They are not paid to take your ropes but folks employed to manage the navigation.

 

[jct1981]

Since having my own boat on the Thames (almost three years) but having spent the prior 34 on my Granddads, the lock keepers or assistants have always been glad to help when I've asked them to.
I normally ask if/when I'm single handed going upstream, especially in the taller locks (Boulters, Marlow etc) or when taking out a group of non-boaty friends who can't throw ropes well etc. If they ask me to go on the other side of the lock to them they either cross the far gates to help, but normally change their mind so they have less distance to walk.