Port Solent Embarassing Locking

[2013PrincessV39]

Hi All,

A story to reflect on, and also somehow make me feel better about. It's one of those 'family' ones...

After a great few days of Marina hopping, I made a sunny return to Port Solent, and this time allowed another "crew" member to have a go at taking us in through the lock and onto the berth.

Needless to days I was on hand to ensure everything would be as smooth (and as cool) as usual, and the joystick we have makes life much easier in these situations.

On approach, I was adjusting the fenders to high on SB side, and finger pontoon low on P, when I called out for a reminder which side we use in the lock........ And of course no one could remember!

We made the decision to go with Port and low (a decision that I still can't understand, and I think had something to do with many hours at sea.)

Meanwhile a crowd of 'well wishers had assembled.

We locked in no problem and all was well as we were the only boat. As the water rushed in at a rate I'm not used to seeing (probably as low tide and no other boats) the boat reacted fairly violently and managed to slip its forward bow line as it was being held rather than tied (not my idea and again no reason for why said crew member went for this option). Comedic panic ensued and I managed to secure the bow after negotiating a web of stancions and metal wiring. As this was all going on, it was also realised that the fenders were too low and would need bracing.

The long and short of the story is that all was well in the end, and we had put on quite a show for the audience of 'Supporters'. We also realised through this experience that a week Marina hopping at sea can also really take it out of you. We are all still speaking though so that's a plus!

Still not a scratch on her, but the real question I have is that although now I know which side and fender combo to use here at PS, does anyone have any tips for the other south coast locks, so that I can maintain the level of calm and cool that our boat should inspire among others!!!

 

[gjgm]

At Hythe, if you are first, they ask your preference, otherwise you get told what order and what side you are in the lock. Still, shouldn't really be any different to visiting a marina...you have to remember which side they told you.
You should enjoy Brittany,then. In true french style, accelerate to max speed to get in front of everyone else who has been waiting , or you probably wont get against the wall, just semi rafted between alot of other boats !

 

[2013PrincessV39]

Well that destination will be going to the bottom of the pile then!

 

[Trundlebug]

Ah, a bit of lock theatre, you can't beat it:encouragement:

I don't have any experience of the south coast locks specifically, but as our boat is based on a major river do have extensive locking experience.

My general rule is if locking up stay as far back in the lock as you can, to minimise turbulence and strain on the crew holding the lines.
There can be advantages in big locks with many boats in not being first in and front of the queue (and therefore nearest the inrushing water)

Locking down, positioning isn't really critical other than clearing the cill at the back.

 

[CharlieAlpha]

Given the lock operator can ask you to go to a particular side aside, When I was at PS we would always try to go to Port as that was also the side we moored at so the ropes where on the correct cleats. Once through we would lower the fenders on the Port side ready for docking and leave the Stb ones high to protect against the neighbour [point being both sides where high so we could go either side in lock] But often others before me had chosen port so a quick call to the crew to swap to stb was in order. Another point the lockie would always ask visitors to go stb side so it was easy to give them their documents which helped the odds for port being free. Hope my five years experience at PS helps.

PS Was that you we tried to help with the lines at Swanwick last Saturday but you declined as training . We were visiting in the T44 'Julissa'.

 

[Johntheoil]

Great that no damage done......but as a regular Thames lock user (in a previous life!) I would suggest try and avoid locking through when when there's a crowd watching.........for some strange reason it does seem to affect things:nonchalance:

I particularly remember Boulters lock had a large pub overlooking it, where the customers used to offer 'encouraging advice' to the boats (and applaud enthusiastically when it all went wrong!)
After that St Katts, Limehouse, Gillingham and even PS on a busy day seemed a 'breeze'.

 

[2013PrincessV39]

Nope not us but thank you for your reply!! Haven't made it to Swanwick all year so might add this to the passage plan.

 

[benjenbav]

Locks have been causing amusement since they were invented. Here's Jerome K Jerome's story from "Three Men in a Boat":

Talking of locks reminds me of an accident George and I very nearly had one summer’s morning at Hampton Court.

It was a glorious day, and the lock was crowded; and, as is a common practice up the river, a speculative photographer was taking a picture of us all as we lay upon the rising waters.
I did not catch what was going on at first, and was, therefore, extremely surprised at noticing George hurriedly smooth out his trousers, ruffle up his hair, and stick his cap on in a rakish manner at the back of his head, and then, assuming an expression of mingled affability and sadness, sit down in a graceful attitude, and try to hide his feet.
My first idea was that he had suddenly caught sight of some girl he knew, and I looked about to see who it was. Everybody in the lock seemed to have been suddenly struck wooden. They were all standing or sitting about in the most quaint and curious attitudes I have ever seen off a Japanese fan. All the girls were smiling. Oh, they did look so sweet! And all the fellows were frowning, and looking stern and noble.
And then, at last, the truth flashed across me, and I wondered if I should be in time. Ours was the first boat, and it would be unkind of me to spoil the man’s picture, I thought.
So I faced round quickly, and took up a position in the prow, where I leant with careless grace upon the hitcher, in an attitude suggestive of agility and strength. I arranged my hair with a curl over the forehead, and threw an air of tender wistfulness into my expression, mingled with a touch of cynicism, which I am told suits me.
As we stood, waiting for the eventful moment, I heard someone behind call out:
“Hi! look at your nose.”
I could not turn round to see what was the matter, and whose nose it was that was to be looked at. I stole a side-glance at George’s nose! It was all right – at all events, there was nothing wrong with it that could be altered. I squinted down at my own, and that seemed all that could be expected also.
“Look at your nose, you stupid ass!” came the same voice again, louder.
And then another voice cried:
“Push your nose out, can’t you, you – you two with the dog!”
Neither George nor I dared to turn round. The man’s hand was on the cap, and the picture might be taken any moment. Was it us they were calling to? What was the matter with our noses? Why were they to be pushed out!
But now the whole lock started yelling, and a stentorian voice from the back shouted:
“Look at your boat, sir; you in the red and black caps. It’s your two corpses that will get taken in that photo, if you ain’t quick.”
We looked then, and saw that the nose of our boat had got fixed under the woodwork of the lock, while the in-coming water was rising all around it, and tilting it up. In another moment we should be over. Quick as thought, we each seized an oar, and a vigorous blow against the side of the lock with the butt-ends released the boat, and sent us sprawling on our backs.
We did not come out well in that photograph, George and I. Of course, as was to be expected, our luck ordained it, that the man should set his wretched machine in motion at the precise moment that we were both lying on our backs with a wild expression of “Where am I? and what is it?” on our faces, and our four feet waving madly in the air.

 

[nicho]

Point .to remember....the size of the incident is directly proportional to the size of the audience!

 

[petem]

When we were at PS we made friends with a couple who said they managed to tie off at the bows in the lock and the wind caught their stern before they tied it off. End result they had to reverse out the lock, much to the amusement of the on lookers. Even worse were their friends who managed to get their boat jammed across the lock. Had to get Nabber to free them!

 

[Seahope]

When we were at PS we made friends with a couple who said they managed to tie off at the bows in the lock and the wind caught their stern before they tied it off. End result they had to reverse out the lock, much to the amusement of the on lookers. Even worse were their friends who managed to get their boat jammed across the lock. Had to get Nabber to free them!

I think everyone messes up at some time at the PS lock. When it is busy you could be either side or even in the middle. I remember some wind blowing me sideways in the lock and no matter what I did with the engines I still had the back swing out until perpendicular. I just cut the engines and relied on fellow boaters to push me back. Embarrassing but no damage done.

My worst almost accident was when reversing out the the fuel berth at PS as no space, getting caught in the lock outflow when switching to a forward direction again and almost bumped into the side very nice large Targa. I tried reversing the engines, but as I couldn't see what angle they were I ended up pivoting the bow of my boat, sharp anchor first, into the side of that boat. The lady crew on that boat fendered me off as I cut power when I realized I was doing more harm than good - the bit of my training advice I remembered most was that bumping into things slowly was better than powering into things.

On days like today I miss my boat!