You will need a crew member to go ashore at locks. The helm, or driver of the boat does need patience, crews say this is the most important thing! Things should happen slowly in a boat. It is when they happen too fast that things can go wrong.
Lock gates close off one section of the canal while the water levels are adjusted. You need to keep your boat safely alongside the lock wall while the water level is changed. When locking down, your boat goes down in the lock. Then you will get a sinking feeling as if the plug has come out of your bath. When going up, the force and sound of the water coming in to the lock can be alarming the first-time.
Locking Down
Going down you will have motored gently in. Put the front of the boat close to the lock wall and your crew will step ashore with the mooring line. You then pass the stern line to them. These lines go around bollards, like little tree stumps, and then are held by you and the crew, who can come back on board. Also remember the upstream end of all locks will have a ledge, called a still, in front of the gates. You don't want your boat to touch this so keep well clear of the upstream gates. The lock keeper will then lower the water level. When this is completed the lower gate will open. Pull the lines clear and motor slowly out of the lock. Simple.
Locking Up
Going up is the reverse. But first your crew must land and climb to the top of the lock. There is normally a place for this at the entrance to the lock, but occasionally only a ladder in the lock wall is available. Now you have to get a rope from your boat up to the top of the lock wall. This can be quite a height and throwing can be difficult. However lookout for long vertical poles recessed into the lock wall. These make holding your boat in a lock easy as you slip your ropes round them and you do not have to throw your rope up.
The only real difference between locks with a keeper and automatic locks where you do it yourself is you and not they who start the system. That is done by simply pressing a button. There are no handles to wind or gates to push as in other parts of the world. Simple, but do not press that button until you and every boat in the lock is ready. Don't let helpful passers-by do it until everyone is ready. That can lead to a boat crew not being ready and their boat not held securely. It will then charge about any free space in the lock like an angry elephant, with possibly the same consequences.
Staircase Locks
Sometimes locks are joined together to make what is called a staircase. The Fonserannes Staircase near Béziers is a good example. These often have a timetable, but in typical French fashion this is not always followed! Here your crew member will stay ashore until you have completed this linked series of the locks. Providing the other boats in your group are efficient, it will take much less time and effort than you fear. Otherwise relax and enjoy feeling superior!
Like a Car?
People will tell you driving a boat is like driving a car. Not so. Don't think like that unless you are used to driving on ice with smooth tyres. A boat is a boat. You steer all the time. Boats don't go straight. They don't always turn exactly the amount you want. You normally need to use the wheel to stop a turn by turning it the other way! Try that in a car.
 |
 |
 |
 |
