Keep it to the front

Firstly, my sympathies go out to Allan Green's mother and family in such tragic circumstances, writes Kevin McNiff.

Wherever you put the boat in a narrow lock, the initial inflow of water from the top paddles will cause a surge towards the lower gates and the boat goes with it, shortly going forward as the wave of water reverses.

Water control

If the lower gates part for any reason at this point, there is the risk of rudder and/or fender being trapped as they quickly shut. I always try to keep the nose of my 70ft boat up against the cill or gate as Derek suggests but the true essence of successful lock working must be water control.

We only raise one paddle about quarter way while the boat moves and settles, then the paddle is fully opened, followed by the opposite side, keeping watch on the fender and stem post to ensure nothing get snagged into the gate or handrails.

Whenever I do have to lay the counter fender against bottom gates to keep them from swinging open, I also angle the rudder away from the mitre until water pressure takes over.

Doesn't add significant time

Going down, nose on the bottom gates but checking for potential hang up, and more so that we do not drift back towards the cill. Controlling the filling cycle makes for a much safer locking and we ensure that other boat crews willing to help are briefed on our way and wait when assisting others for their permission to help. It doesn't add any significant time to the process.

Boaters may wish to use a centre line around a bollard to help keep the boat under control; excessive use of the throttle backwards and forwards with resulting black smoke is a clear indication that the crew's technique is in need of amendment.