GOING DOWN

This is important !

The picture on the right here shows a narrow lock at it's low setting. In the middle at the bottom, just coming out of the water the 'T' shape is a metal bumper to protect the lock from incoming boats that might crash into it. At the top of this T is a short flat area leading to the bottom of the gate, this is the cill and one look tells you that the low water level in a lock exposes the cill. When descending locks you MUST ensure that the back of your boat is away from this or you will get stuck on it, at best you will damage the boat at worst you may sink yourself. On the lock side you can just make out painted white lines, these show where the lock cill is so make sure you are on the 'downhill' side of these lines.

Do not tie a fixed rope to the shore when in a lock, as the water level goes down the boat will end up hanging by these ropes and the result is always dangerous.

Canals rely on an adequate supply of water for their operation and each time a lock is used anywhere between 10 and 90 thousand gallons of water is put to a lower level. Some canals are very well supplied at the summit level, others not, so if you can conserve water you should.

Before using a lock that is set against you check for boats coming the other way, this saves water but also their crew (with your assistance if you choose) will operate the lock and reduce your workload. If using wide locks try to pair up with another boat going the same way, two boats in one lock uses less water (though not much less) and again you have someone to share the workload with.

Two possibilities exist, either the lock is set for you (at the same level as you are now), or against you.

Lock is set against you :-

1) Either moor up, or put a crew ashore to set the lock, get them to check for boats coming the other way.
2) Ensure the bottom gates are shut, and the paddles down.
3) Open the top paddles to let the lock chamber fill.
4) When the chamber is full (and you can't do it before), open the top gate(s).
5) Proceed as for 'Lock set for you'

Lock set for you :-

1) Drive or pull the boat in.
2) Close the top gates and paddles.
3) Keep several feet away from the top gates. A large solid beam (the cill) that is effectively the bottom of the upper canal section is here and catching the boat on it will damage the rudder and prop and is always  excluded from your damage insurance cover. On some locks it's presence is indicated by a painted line. (see photo at top of this page).
4) SLOWLY open the bottom paddles, being aware that the current this causes will draw the boat forwards.
5) When the lock has emptied open the bottom gate(s) and drive or pull the boat out.
6) Close the bottom gate(s) and all the paddles

On rivers it is sometimes acceptable to leave gates open - look for the signs, though ALWAYS close paddles.