Traversing the French lock is always interesting, yet repetitive. The captain and the crew responsibilities are assigned and almost never vary. As we approach a lock whoever is at the helm will adjust the throttle and reduce the engines rpm’s, and that action will usually awaken the captain. At this point we assume our positions, which are as follows: Scott drives the boat, Armando prepares the bow and stern lines, and I have the all important bow thruster position. When the lock is open, as they usually are, we enter the lock slowly, Armando leaps unto the ladder which he quickly ascends securing the stern line, then the forward bow line which he throws to me in the forward bow thruster position. With the transmission in a forward position, the rear door of the lock is closed and Archimedes principle is put into action. After the necessary waters have changed positions the front gate is open and off we go.
What is the all-important bow thrusting position, you probably been asking yourself? Assigned only to most qualified, you stand at the bow (the pointy end) with a 10-foot stick in your hand ready to defy one of nature’s forces. We all know about strong and weak forces found throughout the universe. Gravity, electromagnetism, quarks, and the newest of the phenomenon, lock attraction. For reasons yet to be discovered, a fiberglass boat is strongly attracted to the metal side of all locks no matter what position the rudder is in. So upon the front gates opening, the bow thruster grabs the stick, constantly pushing off the side of the lock, scurrying down the length of the boat till the attraction is broken.
Typical lock station. Most do not have sheep.
Armando at the ready.
Inside the lock.
The bow thruster.
Posted by Jim
Armando at the ready.
Inside the lock.
The bow thruster.
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