NigelBirch
Well-Known Member
Are there any tips for getting in and out of Swansea single handed?
cheers
cheers
Swansea Lock - Single handed
- Thread starter NigelBirch
- Start date
fergie_mac66
Well-Known Member
put a line on a cleat or strong point just forward of amidships,with a big loop on the end that just reaches the cockpit.Leadit back to the cockpit. As you go in to the lock put the loop on the first cleat .as you slowly edge in, engine ingear on tickover, the engine will hold her to the lock side while you get a couple more ropes on
Gwylan
Well-Known Member
Watch out for the Irish car ferry - morning & evening - depending on point of the tide can be a bit short of water.
Know about the current flow around the bay? In the almanac
Lock is not manned 24 hours - but there were buoys to pick up on near the entrance.
The pontoon near the actual lock gate could dry at neaps!
Ask how I know this. It was a small bilge keeler, fortunately.
It's not too difficult getting into the lock, unless it's crowded with mobos and fishies. The Lock masters are professional, firm and clear in their instructions
Try and get the marina to let you go straight to a berth. Otherwise you have to stop outside their lock, go to the office and check in. Then back to boat, cast off, into lock and wait whilst outer gate closes and inner one opens.
Know about the current flow around the bay? In the almanac
Lock is not manned 24 hours - but there were buoys to pick up on near the entrance.
The pontoon near the actual lock gate could dry at neaps!
Ask how I know this. It was a small bilge keeler, fortunately.
It's not too difficult getting into the lock, unless it's crowded with mobos and fishies. The Lock masters are professional, firm and clear in their instructions
Try and get the marina to let you go straight to a berth. Otherwise you have to stop outside their lock, go to the office and check in. Then back to boat, cast off, into lock and wait whilst outer gate closes and inner one opens.
graham
Well-Known Member
I found it fairly simple a few weeks ago. You report in to the Tawe Locks on channel 18 as you go between the outer piers.Boats then enter the lock strictly in the order they came past the pier.Unlike Cardiff que jumping isnt allowed.
As you leave the lock change to channel 80 and ask the marina for instructions.
Banjo approaching the Tawe Lock at low tide.
The almanac says the locks work until 2200 in summer but I have heard you need to be at the Tawe lock by 2130 to ensure you get in.If late there are two waiting bouys outside the lock.
As you leave the lock change to channel 80 and ask the marina for instructions.
Banjo approaching the Tawe Lock at low tide.
The almanac says the locks work until 2200 in summer but I have heard you need to be at the Tawe lock by 2130 to ensure you get in.If late there are two waiting bouys outside the lock.
wotayottie
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Unlike Cardiff que jumping isnt allowed.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do they now make the fishing boats wait their turn then?
Anyway, watch yourself going into the marina lock. Its a stupid shape (half an octagon if that makes sense) and with the marina office and ladder on the port side. So the natural tendency is to try to tie up to port but with the lock gates open and some flow still coming in , the strteam can take hold of your stern. Attempts to speed up a bit with the helm hard over to starboard then cause a bow / pontoon edge interface. Just look at the pontoon edge to see the result.
Either hang back and let someone else take the risk or moor to starboard and walk across the bridge.
Unless you have need for marina facilities or other reason for visiting, much better to anchor in Oxwich bay.
Unlike Cardiff que jumping isnt allowed.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do they now make the fishing boats wait their turn then?
Anyway, watch yourself going into the marina lock. Its a stupid shape (half an octagon if that makes sense) and with the marina office and ladder on the port side. So the natural tendency is to try to tie up to port but with the lock gates open and some flow still coming in , the strteam can take hold of your stern. Attempts to speed up a bit with the helm hard over to starboard then cause a bow / pontoon edge interface. Just look at the pontoon edge to see the result.
Either hang back and let someone else take the risk or moor to starboard and walk across the bridge.
Unless you have need for marina facilities or other reason for visiting, much better to anchor in Oxwich bay.
zlod
Well-Known Member
Hi Spike57,
The main issue I had with Swansea lock was that the pontoons (inside the lock) were quite high for me (they're about the same height as the Cardiff ones). This may actually suit you if you have a high freeboard. Pontoon height is the main thing that causes me anxiety when I get to a previously unvisited lock as:
- it can mean a last minute change of plan
- my usual single handed mooring strategy of attaching the inboard end of the mooring line to the forward winch can go wrong (as the upward pulling mooring line pulls off the winch!)
One thing I tend to do when entering a crowded lock single handed is to ask the lock keeper which side I should moor to and whether there is space. This is useful information for me and usually alerts others to the fact that there is a space issue. Ideally try to not be the last one squeezing into the lock.
The Swansea lock keeper was very, very helpful when I visited (probably on the same day as Graham).
Cheers,
Zlod
The main issue I had with Swansea lock was that the pontoons (inside the lock) were quite high for me (they're about the same height as the Cardiff ones). This may actually suit you if you have a high freeboard. Pontoon height is the main thing that causes me anxiety when I get to a previously unvisited lock as:
- it can mean a last minute change of plan
- my usual single handed mooring strategy of attaching the inboard end of the mooring line to the forward winch can go wrong (as the upward pulling mooring line pulls off the winch!)
One thing I tend to do when entering a crowded lock single handed is to ask the lock keeper which side I should moor to and whether there is space. This is useful information for me and usually alerts others to the fact that there is a space issue. Ideally try to not be the last one squeezing into the lock.
The Swansea lock keeper was very, very helpful when I visited (probably on the same day as Graham).
Cheers,
Zlod
Sneds
Well-Known Member
All praise for the "keepers" of Swansea lock.
V helpful and v professional and definately no queue jumping - Cardiff please take note!
V helpful and v professional and definately no queue jumping - Cardiff please take note!
NigelBirch
Well-Known Member
thanks guys....useful info as ever!
