Operating Locks

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spinreach

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I recall a related topic of operating unmanned locks was discussed a few days ago. The general consensus was not to worry and to read the instructions. So, having got the knocking off time of the lock keeper wrong on Sunday, I was unexpectedly introduced to my first "own operated locking".

Bolstered by the general nonchalance from the previous forum thread on the process, I was confident of my ability to read and follow clear instructions. As I was travelling upstream, the lock was empty , so my first operation was to open the gate, secure the boat in the lock, close the gate and move onto the upstream gate, open sluices etc.

As we were the only boat in the lock, I'd even remebered to leave plenty of space from the upstream gate so I could open the sluices fully. Water rushed in, everything seemingly going well, piece of cake. As it was a deep lock (Temple), I was expecting a short wait, but 25 minutes on and the lock level still being too low, seemed a bit excessive. At this point, lock keeper (off duty) passed by and with big grin, indicated the down stream sluices were still open. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

After closing said sluice, amazing how quickly the lock filled /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Lesson learnt: check sluice is closed before opening gate, even if the lock appears to be "ready".

Finally, why is the lock required to be left empty? I can't see any logical reason, bcause if you're travelling upstream, you then have to empty the lock behind you, but there is as much chance of the next vessel passing through going downstream as well as upstream. So why not just leave the lock closed up (with both sets of sluices closed!) and leave it to chance that the next boat is travelling in the right direction? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif This would at least avoid having to wait around to close the sluice on the downstream gate - or is the protocol just to leave the sluice open, so you don't have to hang around and assume the next boat will close the sluice as part of their process (this isn't that clear on the instructions).
 
From the automated locks we have come across, it isn't possible to open the upstream sluices until the down stream sluices are closed, could have been a problem with the downstream sensors that caused this? To be honest, we leave the locks closed and sluices closed whicheve way we are travelling, can't see the reason behind it either, especially considering how much water is wasted during periods where we have been wityhout rain for a while, heaven forbid that should happen
 
If you think -

that Temple is deep, just wait until you get to a "proper" lock, Temple and Hurley are about the shallowest (go on everybody and rush to the depth tables....), they are tiddlers! Have a look at Marlow, which also has nasty upstream sluices.

Not meaning to be disingenuous as even three feet can be frightening on a first visit.. You were unlucky to use one of the remaining unconverted locks. Your problem relates to the leave lock empty "rule" which nobody really understands and that includes the keepers. I suspect that it may be to discourage the growth of algae?

Indeed the rule appears to have been withdrawn for the later electrified locks.

A definitive, logical explanation is long overdue....
 
Re: If you think -

I think I saw you heading up to the lock. We were there to show the kids how it was done but no boats came through. The lock keeper went home and we left.

Saw one boat heading upstream as we were a mile away.

Maybe it is best we weren't there to witness! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

My first manual lock was at 9pm in the dark. Great fun learning it then......Can't wait until I get to do Temple at lot - boat will be at Harleyford.
 
Re: If you think -

i thought that the "leave lock empty rule" was to do with silting - i guess less water, less silt.

TBQH I only shut the gates if it is very late and there is a chance that no-one else will be coming through. My logic is that there is a chance that the next user will be travelling in the opposite direction and can go straight in, if they are not then the poor buggers travelling in the same direction will have to shut the gates as well, but with hydraulics that is not onerous, HOWEVER that will result in exactly the same number of gate openings as if you had shut them, whereas if someone goes straight in there are fewer, so OVERALL less energy, less wear and tear.

I used to shut them when they were manual, seemed only fair.
 
Re: If you think -

As luck would have it, I would have to choose a manual lock for my first experience! In addition, I did have some witnesses as well, which is fine - get everything over with at the same time, including unimpressed swmbo and daughter, but heh, it was a good training exercise for them, even if they don't appreciate it.

JECuk, when do you moor at Harleyford as that's where I am?
 
[ QUOTE ]
As I was travelling upstream, the lock was empty , so my first operation was to open the gate, secure the boat in the lock, close the gate and move onto the upstream gate, open sluices etc.

As we were the only boat in the lock, I'd even remebered to leave plenty of space from the upstream gate so I could open the sluices fully. Water rushed in, everything seemingly going well, piece of cake. As it was a deep lock (Temple), I was expecting a short wait, but 25 minutes on and the lock level still being too low, seemed a bit excessive. At this point, lock keeper (off duty) passed by and with big grin, indicated the down stream sluices were still open. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

After closing said sluice, amazing how quickly the lock filled /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Lesson learnt: check sluice is closed before opening gate, even if the lock appears to be "ready".


[/ QUOTE ]

Now you know why I made a big point of mentioning that people should check the downstream sluices here

[ QUOTE ]
2) make sure the sluices at the other end are FULLY closed before you try to empty / fill the lock. On most locks lower controls will not work while the upper sluices are open and vice verse but on those where they do work, it will take a very long time to fill / empty with both sets of sluices open at the same time!


[/ QUOTE ]

It is very easy to forget, especially if you come up into an empty lock. With the leave lock empty rule, people (myself included) tend to leave the lower sluices open rather than wait for the lock to empty.

Bet you wont forget to check them next time though!

Darren.
 
Re: If you think -

i took a couple of friends up to Oxford once, slipped off for a pee at one of the locks, and came back to find that not only had they got both sets of sluices open, but they had managed to get the bow on one side of the lock and the stern on the other, and this was only a 17' Shetland!!

It could have been the illustration for how not to do it!!
 
Re: If you think -

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

It's really funny picturing the scene as you describe it but it would have been priceless actually watching it happen. That is brilliant.
 
Re: If you think -

it was quite funny once i'd sorted it out, and the looks on the faces was priceless.

The funny part is that one of the culprits is a hugely competent yachtsman who i would trust with my life on any sea-passage!
 
Re: If you think -

Embarrassingly enough i manage at least a couple of times every summer to leave the downstream sluices open and then try and go and fill the lock ....

Usually happens when i get distracted during the closing the downstream gates operation , to sort out a visitors licence or something.

I stand on the head pedestal , and usually get chatting to a boater , and then 10 minutes later realise that the lock isn't filling up .... i then have to endure the good natured jeering as i make the walk of shame to the other end of the lock to close the sluices ....

Don't know if i should be admitting to this, i'm meant to be one of the highly trained elite /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

*** Geek Alert ***

Sandford and Teddington are the deepest at 8 foot 10 inches drop each . Although Teddington can have a drop of up to 14 feet if you try to go through at low tide on the draw off ( something i couldn't recommend )
 
Re: If you think -

OK! If it's confession time. I too have done it once. I was so embarrassed at having to do the walk of shame that ever since I always look to see where the sluices are before making any moves.
 
Re: If you think -

I remember one summers evening, in the late 80's, coming downstream to Bray lock after the Keeper had left.
Another boat was already in the lock and was waving us in. As I came through the lock gates, engine idling, we started to speed up. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
My young and athletic wife (as she was then) managed to get lines ashore whilst I held position under astern power. We were still creeping towards the boat in front which by this time was up against the lower gates. The kids from that boat were so enthusiastic, they had started to raise the tail sluices before the head gates had closed. Their dad meanwhile was closing the gates behind us, being helped by the ever increasing current through the chamber. It was a scary moment that taught all concerned how carefull you have to be in locks.
 
Re: If you think -

Ok another admission - In our second season I did the exact same thing at Bovney, not the smallest lock by any means lol. A kindly passer by shouted from the other end of the lock "did you intend emptying the river or would you like me to close the sluices " /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I did not endure the walk of shame but the sight of number 1 son emerging from the cabin and rolling around on the cockpit floor in hysterical lafter was enough to make me double check everytime now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Me too...

It happens to me at least once a year, though in mitigation it is invariably when going downstream where the previous user has kindly cracked the sluices to leave the lock emptying. Some of the gear looks shut when it isn't - and the converse applies.

So now I rush down (if I remember) and check and of course the darn things are closed.

Still shortly (next year?, year after) the only locks that you'll be able to do it on are those below Boveney (and Boulters) and the "proper" locks, Kings and up. The rest are of the "save the boater from himself" and the gear is Up or Down.

'Twould be nice if Forum Members left a good bit of chrome showing on the rams so that the next bod can see that the gear is partly up?
 
Even as a Summer Assistant a few years back (at Marlow, Temple, Cookham & Bray) it was not unusual to "forget to put the plug in"

Chatting to pretty females usually caused it for me
 
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