Shiplake lock

[jessie]

Having travelled most of the way from Shillingford today on our own, and only sharing very few locks, we arrived at Shiplake lock.
We where the only boat in the lock, our engines still running the relief lock keeper asked us to turn the engines off!
I explained that my starter battery may not start the engine again as it had flattened over night , and we had to jump start the engine.
His reaction to my reasons for not turning the engine off was to turn the power off at the lock ,telling the volunteer to go and sit in the office .
Telling me I would have to lock myself through on public power, (as the sluices where already cracked the lock was starting to empty any way).
I asked for an explanation as I always understood if you had engine starting problems you could be locked through individually.
He stated he was not standing around breathing in my fumes and I could operate the lock myself!
By now the lock was empty and boats starting to wait for the lock!
He must of had second thoughts by now as other boats had turned up, and he opened the gates.
I asked for his name which he refused !
We left the lock feeling we had done nothing to deserve his attitude towards us! And quite the opposite from the service normally given!
Qu

 

[kremmen]

Funny but it always changes in the telling. Putting the lock on self service allows the lockie to stand upwind at a time when the breeze was going down through the lock. At no time was a suggestion made that you would have to serve yourself.
No queue at any time .
Perhaps next time we can see it from the same angle.

Paul. .... my name.

 

[boatingdave]

Funny but it always changes in the telling. Putting the lock on self service allows the lockie to stand upwind at a time when the breeze was going down through the lock. At no time was a suggestion made that you would have to serve yourself.
No queue at any time .
Perhaps next time we can see it from the same angle.

Paul. .... my name.

Paul. Welcome to the forum. I've never had any problems with any lock keepers and when I used to have my petrol Fairline Targa 33 which had problems a couple of times we were always looked after and also had to proceed through the lock with the engines still running on a few occasions for battery or coming up issues. From your comment you put the lock on to self service so the automated sequencing would allow you to stand to one side. It seems this was a misunderstanding but it may be prudent to acknowledge if you are in a vessel, with the engine running, it may be difficult to hear any instructions clearly. This sounds like a simple misunderstanding on both sides.

 

[kremmen]

Paul. Welcome to the forum. I've never had any problems with any lock keepers and when I used to have my petrol Fairline Targa 33 which had problems a couple of times we were always looked after and also had to proceed through the lock with the engines still running on a few occasions for battery or coming up issues. From your comment you put the lock on to self service so the automated sequencing would allow you to stand to one side. It seems this was a misunderstanding but it may be prudent to acknowledge if you are in a vessel, with the engine running, it may be difficult to hear any instructions clearly. This sounds like a simple misunderstanding on both sides.

Hopefully it was . I think if the lock keeper is advised of any problems on the way in to the lock then maybe we could have communicated more clearly.

Paul

 

[Pump-Out]

The Thames Bylaws clearly state that boats locking through on their own are exempt from shutting down their engine(s).

A few volunteers are not aware of this, but I would expect a paid official to know the rules that they enforce.
PO

 

[kremmen]

Ah well , If you read the comments you would see that the whole point was that there was NO dispute about the right to keep the engine running the problem was to try and remove the paid official and volunteer from breathing in noxious fumes. Or is it not ok for a paid official to look out for his health?

Paul

 

[Brayman]

Ah well , If you read the comments you would see that the whole point was that there was NO dispute about the right to keep the engine running the problem was to try and remove the paid official and volunteer from breathing in noxious fumes. Or is it not ok for a paid official to look out for his health?

Paul

I read the issue as the lockie declining to help the boater through the lock and left him to his own devices!

 

[Gavi]

I do not see the need for debate here. It is perhaps the best case of "understand the other person's perspective" I have seen. I can see why the OP felt aggrieved but suspect he was not paying attention to what was being said to him. I think Paul has been honest and honourable about explaining what was going on.

 

[boatingdave]

I do not see the need for debate here. It is perhaps the best case of "understand the other person's perspective" I have seen. I can see why the OP felt aggrieved but suspect he was not paying attention to what was being said to him. I think Paul has been honest and honourable about explaining what was going on.

+1 although as per my post maybe not paying attention is a bit harsh, just misunderstood?

 

[Grehan]

As a point of sideways information, I believe that the French, VNF, regulations actually require engines to be turned off in locks. Of course, I now cannot find any chapter and verse to support that - and practically everyone keeps their engines on anyway. However, we have found that water filling some locks stirs up the merde lying in the bottom with a risk of blocking the filter and stopping the engine. Has happened to us a couple of times, with the Chief then having to haul us out on a line.

 

[Actionmat]

Or is it not ok for a paid official to look out for his health?

Paul

Regarding fumes and boats turning their engines off, I have never been in a lock with a large passenger boat that has turned its engine off or been asked to.

 

[No Regrets]

I recall the OP insisting a boat video I posted up a while ago 'wasn't' making excessive wash, despite all the owners of several boats shouting loudly at the Etonian twit that was doing just that.

I shall therefore refrain from posting my opinions, as I may be guilty of the same misunderstanding...