How Locks
Work
After contacting the lock master by VHF and cleared to
enter, the wheelman heads towards the forebay (a wide area on either side
of the locks). Lining up on the wall the deck crewman has a portable
radio and lets the wheelman know how wide the tow is off the wall and how
far below (how far from the wall). The wheelman must take care
not to touch the wall and gates of the lock if at all possible- damage
repair can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. As the tow
approaches the wall, the crewman on deck prepares a bumper in case the
tow gets too close. He can only use the bumper on the concrete structure
as it is made of an old line and will snag on wood and possibly pull him
overboard. The tow comes into the locks and stops at the lock masters
command and the crewmember will catch a line on a fitting on the wall to
secure the tow. The gates close and the water is pumped in or out
(depending on which way you are headed). While the water is being
pumped into the lock chamber the water is very disturbed. The tow
may surge back and forth, so the crewman must tender the line making sure
it doesn't break or foul as the vessel moves up or down. After the
water level is achieved and the water settles, the lockmaster opens the
other gate for the vessel to depart. The crewman casts off the line
and the tow moves slowly out of the chamber past the other gate and continues
on the voyage.
Watch the towboat go through the locks!
This is a list of the locks that
I go through while transiting the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and
Lower Mississippi River.
-
Colorado River Locks(ICW) (1200ft
x 75ft)
-
Brazos River Flood Gates(ICW)
-
Calcaseiu River Locks(ICW) (1194
ft. x 75ft.)
-
Bayou Sorrel(ICW) (790ft x 56ft)
Tricky with a 54ft wide barge!!!
-
Industrial (Miss. River) (640ft
x 75ft)
-
Harvey (Miss. River) (425ft x 75ft)
-
Algeirs (Miss. River) (760ft. x
75ft)
-
Port Allen Locks (Miss. River) (1188ft
x 85ft)
-
Bayou La Beauf Locks (ICW) (1148
ft x 75 ft.)
-
Leland Bowman Locks (ICW) (1140ft
x 110ft)
- LaRose floodgates(Bayou LaFourche)
- Golden Meadows floodgates (Bayou LaFourche)
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