Boatnerd Discussion Forum

I'm certainly not an expert but I believe the filling and emptying ports are scattered along the length of the lock chamber, and not necessarily at one end to help pull or push. I have heard the lock operators can flush ice out (down) of the lock by leaving the water level a little higher than level with the lower pool, then opening the gates, but that same technique would probably be very dangerous with a ship filled with cargo and crew.

Hobione,

I can't answer your question, but I will tell you this, captains do not use the mooring winches to pull the boat into, or out of the lock. The bigger the boat, the slower you go.

I guess no body knows.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I watched the Gott go the the locks on a web cam.
There were comments about how long she took.
They mentioned there was some issues with cavitation when power is applied in a lock chamber with very little water (i.e. mostly ship).
So, if getting a boat into a lock (or out of) is much like pushing a cork into a bottle ( or yanking out), does the lock operator make it easier by using water to "suck the boat in" so to speak if it's headed down, or "flushing it out" after it's lowered ?
Conversely, if a boat was headed UPbound, I could see valve operations facilitating the transit by allowing the lock water content to be displaced on entry, (emptying valves) or Replaced during exit (filling valves).
Hence the question for those more learned than I; how are things handled from the lock operators point of view ?
Enquiring minds want to know ☺
Many Thanks