Dismal Swamp and the Hazards of Locks

[AtlanticBryan]

On May 1 of this year I transited the Dismal Swamp Canal, moving northward from Elizabeth City towards Norfolk in our 32-foot Jeanneau. When I entered the Deep Creek Lock, I was the second of two boats being locked through. There was a 2-knot current behind me, so I entered with no throttle – I was just letting the current carry me. The lockmaster tied me up bow line first, causing my stern to swing out into the lock. He then started yelling commands at me to power forward. I couldn’t see what he was doing but assumed he was going to use the bow line as a spring to bring in the stern. In fact, he had already tied off the bow line quite short, resulting in the bow of my boat striking the side of the lock twice and bending its bow roller. Eventually we got the boat under control and I later spoke with the lockmaster, telling him that tying off a moving boat bow first was not correct. He told me that the fault was mine, that I was moving too fast (remember that I was moving only with the current – going into reverse would have caused me to lose steerage way).
The same situation happened earlier in the day, to the boat that locked through the South Mills lock behind me. The lockmaster snubbed off the bow line of the moving boat, causing its stern to swing out into the lock. In this case there was less current and the boat was a trawler with bow thrusters and counter-rotating props, so no damage was done.
It appears to me that these two incidents demonstrate a training problem with the lock staff. Everyone with experience in boating knows that the way to stop a moving boat is with an aft spring or a stern line. Snubbing off a bow line always causes the stern to swing out away from the dock and the helmsman to lose all control of the boat. I suspect that the lock staff use the bow line because it allows them to determine where the bow will be in relation to the boat ahead, but that is no to create a situation that could cause serious damage to a boat or injury to its crew.

[sailingdog]

Thanks for the heads up... I'd agree that it is a training or lack of understanding on the part of the lock crew. It is probably worth writing the government agency responsible and seeing if they will pay for the repairs to your boat, as well as re-train/train the staff in question.

[AtlanticBryan]

Thanks, Dog. I did write to the US ACOE about this - we'll see if they respond. I also contacted Dozier (the Waterway Guide folks) and Skipper Bob.

The damage to my roller wasn't too severe - the aluminum ears were bent. I'm hoping (there's that word again) that I'll be able to bend them back with a big adjustable wrench. Another cruiser who was a millwright in a former life thought it could be done.

It isn't just the Dismal Swamp lockmasters who make this mistake, of course. I've had numerous "dockmasters" try to tie me up bow first with the same result - a major league Chinese fire drill.

[camaraderie]

Brian...as captain...you should order exactly what you wish done. It is not for those on land to decide...though they will if given the chance. I say this not to criticize but to caution others as you have done. With a following current, the stern line should be taken first...or an aft spring, depending on how your boat handles. But the captain must give the orders.
I handle 100's of boat dockings a year and tell the captains and crew what to do...since I know boats and my marina...but I always back off when the captain tells me what HE/SHE wants to do. I'd say the % of dockhands that know what they are doing is about the same as the % of dockers that can actually handle their boats and make good docking decisions! If you know what you are doing...don't leave your boat in others hands.

[sailingdog]

Cam's got a good point.. ultimately, you really have to take command of your boat.

[Stillraining]

Iv had gas dock personnel do the same thing the first line they want to grab is the bow...I asked one guy last summer not to pull on the bow line and he said fine dock your on $#@!$ boat...I did..by myself

[AtlanticBryan]

Cam, you're absolutely right. I should've ordered the lockmaster to take the stern line. I'm not sure, though, what he would have done. My experience with guys on the dock or on shore taking lines has been 50/50 at best - many don't understand the concept that the skipper is responsible and has the authority to give orders.

[camaraderie]

AB...yup..I agree...but they usually respond to loud and authoritative commands out of the calculation that they won't get tipped if they don't do what the captain says. (Most boats don't tip...but hope springs eternal!!)

[NautiG]

I went through the Dismal Swamp Canal about the same time as AtlanticBryan. I enjoyed the trip, but will back up his caveat about the Deep Creek lock. The current will pull you in there fine. And my locking was quick and deep. It's at least an eight foot drop. I exited the lock backwards because I wasn't able to handle the lines competently by myself.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision
Captain's Blog

[AtlanticBryan]

Cam, your point about tips applies to low paid assistant dockmasters, but a lockmaster is a reasonably well paid public servant employed by the Corps of Engineers. The situations aren't totally comparable.