Keeping boats forward

IT IS not enough to tell inexperienced boaters to keep forward when descending a lock, writes Mike Todd.

There are still some locks where letting the boat drift right up to the bottom gates can cause problems. In many cases, the gap between the balance beam and the top of the lock gate has now been partially filled in to prevent the bow of a boat, or the bow fender, becoming hung up as the boat drops down.

Will catch a boat

But it is not possible to rely on this, not least because there are still some locks with parts of the bottom gates that will catch a boat. Of course, bow fenders should be fitted with a weak link of some sort so that it will break before too much damage is done but, again, it is not wise to rely on this as a safety feature.

Incidentally, ascending boats can also be caught between balance beam and gate top although this does not usually result in damage to the boat but instead lifts the gate out of the pot at the bottom thus rendering the lock inoperable for everyone until it is repaired, which may take several days to organise.

Constantly vigilant

The only safe way to descend a lock—or to ascend for that matter—is for the boat crew to be constantly vigilant and be alert for any sign that the boat is being caught, whether at the front, at the stern or, as can also occur, at the side where a stone, brick or broken metal band can catch a rubbing strake.