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How To Lock Through
1. Stay between
red and black buoys. They mark the river's navigable channel.
2. On a down river
approach, a dam is difficult to see. Be DAM CONSCIOUS and know your location on
the river with regard to each dam and lock. Keep a sharp lookout for the
'DANGER DAM' signs and the white and orange pillar buoys which mark the dam.
But be aware the buoys are not in the river year round and they can move
off-station due to river flows. All water immediately above and below each dam
are DANGER areas. It is recommended that boaters refer to Navigation Charts which
provide valuable information on the location of the dams and other structures
in the river.
3. Personal
watercraft of the 'sit down' variety are allowed to lock through, but must
enter and depart according to the lock operator's instructions. The craft must
remain stable. The operator must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD (personal
floatation device) at all times and remain seated when the craft is not in
motion. The 'stand up' variety of watercraft must be tied-off to an approved
vessel during approach, lockage and departure with the operator remaining
on-board the approved vessel until clear of the lock approach wall.
4. When
approaching a lock, wait for the lock operator to signal that you may enter.
Craft going downstream should stay in the clear 400 feet upstream from the end
of the guide wall until the signal to enter is received. This is particularly
true if large craft are about to leave the lock and are headed in your
direction.
5. Vessels
desiring lockage shall on approaching the lock give the following signal at a
distance of not more than one mile from the lock: One long blast of the whistle
followed by one short blast. (Whistles for the convenience of small craft
operators are located at the ends of the guide walls at some of the locks.)
NOTE: Radio contact with the locks may be made by any vessel
desiring passage. All Huntington District Locks monitor FCC Maritime Band
Channel 13 (156.65 MHz) and Channel 16 (156.8 MHz); and can work on Channel 13
and Channel 14 (156.7 MHz). Channel 16 is the authorized call, reply and
distress frequency used in an emergency.
6. Traffic
signal lights guide you at all navigation locks on the
7. The lock
operator may, in addition to the traffic lights, signal you with an air horn.
Traffic
Light Signals
Flashing Red -- Stand clear -- Do Not Enter
Flashing Amber -- Approach lock but under
full control
Flashing Green -- Enter
Lock
Air Horn
Signals
One Long Blast -- Enter landward lock
Two Long Blasts -- Enter riverward lock
One Short Blast -- Leave landward lock
Two Short Blasts -- Leave riverward lock
8. Please carry
aboard at least 50 feet of mooring line. You will need it during lockage to tie
your craft safely to the lock wall. If you do not have a proper mooring line
you may not be locked. Please do not tie up to ladders or recessed mooring pins
along the wall. You must follow the instructions of the lock operator as to the
location where you will moor.
9. Make sure
there is a mooring ring or similar device on your boat to which a mooring line
can be tied.
10. Small boats
with only one person aboard may use one long line securely fastened at one end
of the boat with a bight of the line around the mooring post on the lock wall
and the free end of the line around a cleat at the other end of the boat. This
will allow the person at the free end of the line to pay out or take in mooring
as the water level changes.
11. Stand by to
pay out or take in mooring line as the water level in the lock rises or falls.
12. Larger
boats should use two separate mooring lines leading from bow to stern to
separate mooring posts on the lock wall. This will require a person at each end
of the boat to pay out or take in mooring lines as the water level changes.
13. In locks
with floating mooring bitts you should place your mooring line around the
mooring post on the floating mooring bitt. It will not be necessary for the
lock operator to handle your line.
14. Use fenders
to save damage to your boat and to lockwalls. Old rope makes good fenders.
15. Passengers
should remain seated in your boat during lockage.
16. Always wear
a PFD (life jacket) when it is necessary to handle lines on deck or in rough
weather.
17. Lock
operators have been given the same authority over your boat in the lock as
traffic policemen have over your car at intersections. For your own safety you
must obey their instructions.
18. Wait for
the lock operator's signal to leave the lock. Travel at a reduced speed on
entering and leaving the lock.
19. Keep away
from the stern of passing tows. The stern waves are apt to capsize small craft.
20. Avoid passing
across the head or line of travel of tows. Tows cannot be maneuvered to change
course quickly.
21. Keep away
from the head of barges moored along the shore. Small craft may be carried
under the barges by the undertow.