Self Service lock etiquette

[Cashbuyer]

Rather disappointing to find today that two boats who had come out of a self service lock and proceeded upstream, and passed us, had not closed the gates and left the lock empty. They had no idea we were approaching as we were a fair way off and around a bend.

Now you might say that it saved us some time not having to fill the lock, and you would be correct. But I always make a point of leaving the lock as requested - ie empty with gates closed, as it seems just good manners to abide by the request.

This just smacked of sod everyone else we shall carry on regardless and someone else can sort it out.

I also know that the two boats are regular cruisers and should therefore have no excuse.

Should I be annoyed?

 

[Actionmat]

Yes.

 

[ianc1200]

Par for the course nowadays.

Also boats won't move up and close the gates on you even if only two boats in the lock.

Annoys me more when they do empty/close etc, but the then drop the sluices.

Easily to sort out by adding note to the instructions.

 

[sarabande]

can you explain to a sea-based sailing person what is the advantage in leaving a lock empty and gates closed, please ? That seems to require 2 major operations when approaching from upstream, and 1 major operation when approaching from downstream, before a change in level can be made.

Assuming that upstream and downstream passages are equal in number, and that there are no boats waiting above or below the lock, isn't it more economical of time, operations, and water, to leave the gates open as you leave ?

If there is a lot of traffic, a different matter, and I can understand the need for a protocol.

 

[boatone]

Par for the course nowadays.

Also boats won't move up and close the gates on you even if only two boats in the lock.

Annoys me more when they do empty/close etc, but the then drop the sluices.

Easily to sort out by adding note to the instructions.

Regrettably not so easily resolved - people don't read the instructions. Many of the problems we currently face on the waterway could be resolved if river users themselves simply observed the bye laws and other requirements. Speed and wash is a good example of problems caused by anti social behaviour which the rest of us, apparently, are having to learn to tolerate. The EA spends a very significant proportion of its inadequate funding on enforcement - money which would go a long way to improving lock keeping services and maintenance - and this is only necessary because people ignore or deliberately flout the rules.

 

[shades]

The reason the lock should be left empty is to reduce the amount of algae on the lock walls.
This is not as important as closing the gates behind you. There is often a public right of way across one set of lock gates.
If those gates are left open, busy footpaths are diverted through the front garden of the lock keeper.
Not only is this an invasion of their very limited privacy, it also puts the public at risk, as they will be walking next to an unprotected edge. This significantly increases the risk of somebody falling in to the water.

 

[oldgit]

can you explain to a sea-based sailing person what is the advantage in leaving a lock empty and gates closed, please ? That seems to require 2 major operations when approaching from upstream, and 1 major operation when approaching from downstream, before a change in level can be made.

Assuming that upstream and downstream passages are equal in number, and that there are no boats waiting above or below the lock, isn't it more economical of time, operations, and water, to leave the gates open as you leave ?

If there is a lot of traffic, a different matter, and I can understand the need for a protocol.

This Thames idiosyncrasy has always remained a bit of a mystery to the hard of understanding ie. me.
It seems only common sense to basically make sure all sluices are shut but not reset everything to favour craft going in any particular direction.
Apologies to those who have patiently explained this to me in the past.
All that extra gate opening and shutting not to mention wasted water ?
It made some sort of sense at the time.

 

[bluelady1]

yes I can confirm that as a volunteer lock keeper for a few years now " shades " is absolutely correct although if not emptied it will probably drain gradually on its own but closing up is imperative! Isn't it just typical of todays attitude in general ,how many times have you followed a boat into a lock ,manned or not , and the boat in front grabs the very first bollard he can lasso totally oblivious to the fact that someone is behind them.

 

[TrueBlue]

The most irritating point about dropping the sluices and closing the gates is that the next boat going in the opposite direction has to wait for the automatic operating system to raise the sluices - even if the lock is in your favour. A minor irritation on many locks - but at Culham it's 20 minutes.....

To some extent not closing the gates is selfish -

• can't be bothered,
• somebody else sure to be coming in the opposite direction shortly
• Where is the lockie, why should I do all the work for him,
• It's awkward for me to get back on the boat

Judging by what some people have told me - al lot of boats hardly ever venture out of their marina and have a fear of locks.

Perhaps the real reason is that some folks don't treat the locks as part of the experience. For us the River would be boring if there were no locks to break the journey.

This problem is not limited to the Thames, to some extent it happens on the canals as well.

 

[mlines]

I think the fear of locks and lack of knowledge on the boaters part is a real factor.

On a couple of occasions we have been waved to the front of the lock queue by the other boaters when the lock is on self-service because "we are waiting for the lock keeper to return to operate the lock for us". They have even then refused to enter the lock when I have operated it as they "wanted a lock keeper to do it".

I have also then been stuck operating the lock as no-one entering the lock has offered to take over from me. What is the etiquette for just walking away once you have operated the lock for some people

 

[Cashbuyer]

I think my point was that these two boats are regular cruisers (I see them regularly up and down the river, and they were out on yellow boards, so not the usual 'amateurs') So they really should know better.

 

[Chris_d]

I think my point was that these two boats are regular cruisers (I see them regularly up and down the river, and they were out on yellow boards, so not the usual 'amateurs') So they really should know better.

Which lock was it, were they single handed?

 

[JumbleDuck]

can you explain to a sea-based sailing person what is the advantage in leaving a lock empty and gates closed, please ? That seems to require 2 major operations when approaching from upstream, and 1 major operation when approaching from downstream, before a change in level can be made.

On the Crinan Canal one leaves the gates closed and the paddles closed, because it helps conserve water. Everything leaks, but two of everything leak a bit less than one of everything.

 

[oldgit]

On the Crinan Canal one leaves the gates closed and the paddles closed, because it helps conserve water. Everything leaks, but two of everything leak a bit less than one of everything.

So.... a boat heading downstream,shuts both sets of gates to "save" water.
The next boat heading upstream has got to empty any water that has "leaked" into the lock chamber before he/she can open gates to enter lock. Water is lost anyway. ?

 

[Chris_d]

So.... a boat heading downstream,shuts both sets of gates to "save" water.
The next boat heading upstream has got to empty any water that has "leaked" into the lock chamber before he/she can open gates to enter lock. Water is lost anyway. ?

Its good practice to leave the downstream sluices open, keeps the lock empty and with the Thames OOH system saves time to open the gates again if arriving
from downstream.

 

[Flynnbarr]

Which lock was it, were they single handed?

I do a bit single handed and whenever the lockie is about but not on duty ,tending his garden/mooching etc they have always just told me to motor out and don't bother even shutting gates even though I want to be a good citizen

And as for etiquette between boaters,sadly lacking in a lot of people,coming back late from St Kat's in September did the last 4locks between 3boats....the couple on the newish Stevens did not even look at us let alone acknowledge us/thank us,always went the opposite side to the controls,whereas the scruffy liveaboard who looked like he was auditioning to join the 'teddington set' was helpful,jolly,always grateful that we waited at the next lock for him whilst he reset the previous one......takes all sorts

 

[TrueBlue]

I suppose it's the difference between those who enjoy the River in all aspects for what it is -
and those for whom it's just a conduit to the next watering / eating hole.

 

[rosssavage]

Single handing is no excuse. I regularly go out by myself, at all times of day and night, and ALWAYS close gates and drain the lock.

Mainly, this is because I know most of the lock keepers, and I'm scared that they might be peeking out from behind their curtains and catch me out!! (Joke..)

It's part of the etiquette and he rules - play fair!

 

[Flynnbarr]

I have reset locks,I am from a long line of river users and respect the traditions and etiquette of The Thames.
But when a lockie tells me to leave it I do what the lockie says,what's a man to do!

 

[Cashbuyer]

Which lock was it, were they single handed?

Not single handed. Four adults, from what I could see as they passed, and looking like they were cruising together.

Not sure why single handed should make any difference. All the more reason, if in the lock together, to help each other out.

Near Windsor.

Looks like I'm not the only one who thought it was lazy practice.