By Leslee Jaquette
It’s a sunny, warm day at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle with Lockmaster Terry Meyer overseeing the navigation from the control tower. He and I are reminiscing about the “wild old days” back in the 1970s and 1980s, when nearly twice as many boats transited the Locks each year and many skippers were often three sheets to the wind and not exactly Miss Manners.
Just as Meyer commented that things are more rational these days, he excused himself to hail the skipper on a 50-foot yacht, which was lollygagging inbound into the Large Lock, “Shift your lines and fenders to the port side. We are waiting for you. You are the last boat.”
Meyer continued to explain that today’s boaters are much more conscientious and communication is better than at anytime in his 32-year history. Err…excuse me, again, he said, glancing at the commercial traffic, stacked waiting upstream, “Do not tie up to the vessel below the Lock. You’ve got the whole chamber waiting for you. Come into the port side.”
Although Meyer smiles as he shakes head in disbelief, he watches the body language of the crew members as they put their hands on their heads as if in surrender and the skipper maneuvers the vessel broadside to the entrance to the lock.
“It’s amazing, I haven’t seen one this clueless for quite awhile,” observed Meyer of the messed up approach. “But it’s the typical issue, these people are not prepared and the skipper has not coached them how to use their lines.”
As the drama continues to unfold, Navigation Superintendent David Carpenter joins us in the tower. We watch incredulously as two large yachts take advantage of the commotion and dodge around the 50-footer, now drifting with its bow toward the south side. After “Clueless in the Locks” gets straightened out and powers in, Meyer and Carpenter discuss what they would like this yachtsman and all the rest of us to know about locking through.
Be prepared
While prayer never hurts, there are lots of down-to-earth ways to prepare to navigate the 1917-built “Ballard Locks.” For starters, said Carpenter, who has worked “the wall” since 1980, study the website information (www.nws.usace.army.mil), take a locking through class, properly equip your boat and talk the process over with other boaters. If you are new to the area and/or new to the Locks, the website is loaded with easy-to-follow directions, tidbits, safety information and how to sign up for a Locking Through program (206-789-2622, x 202).
“Before it’s your turn, come down and watch the Locks operate,” said Carpenter. “That way you can see what to expect. It is also a good time to peruse the Visitor Center exhibits and learn how the Locks actually work.”
Next, make sure your vessel is in good operating condition and is equipped with the proper safety items. Have proper fire extinguishing equipment, approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board; children and non-swimmers should wear them at all times. Carry fenders for both sides of the vessel as well as long enough lines to handle any situation.
Due to the fact that the tide ranges from 6’ to 26’, it is imperative to carry two or more 50-foot manila or other suitable mooring lines. They should be in good condition and should have an eye at least 12 inches in diameter (an eye not made with a slip knot). “While it is rare to use the full length, if you don’t have it, it can be a problem,” observed Carpenter. “Even a small boat might need to go against a lock wall.”
Both lock navigation experts underscored the importance of discussing line handling with guests so they know what they will encounter. “Practice throwing a line like a lasso or trying to get a button or a vessel on a wall,” counseled Carpenter, who added that most children can learn these skills and make excellent crew. “Preparing for the experience makes it much easier.”
Focus on the task at hand
Armed with information and the right equipment, it is also important to be aware of the “intimidation” factor. “We’ve got a lot of tourists looking down and that makes boaters feel like they are in the Roman Coliseum,” noted Carpenter. “Counteract the stress and performance anxiety by focusing on the lockmaster. Pay attention and follow directions.”
Along these lines, while it may sound like the lockmaster is yelling at them, boaters should not get upset. The lockmaster is just trying to be heard.
“Sometimes we need to raise our voices over a cigarette boat’s loud exhaust, for example, to get a boater’s attention,” said Meyer. “In return, a blank stare is very frustrating. Boaters need to wave or acknowledge that they heard us or we have to keep hollering.”
Of course, everyone knows about skippers who lack self-confidence and take it out on their crew. “One commander was barking orders at his wife, but not handling the boat well at all,” recalled Meyer, of the skipper of a 32’ powerboat entering the Small Locks. “The wife got so upset, she went below and we could hear her breaking every dish in the galley.”
Know how to handle your vessel
Yes, lots of Northwest boaters have a love-hate relationship with the Locks. It’s exciting and can be crazy (SEAFAIR in the old days), but it is also scary and intimidating. To take the “hate” part out of the equation, boaters not only need a well-maintained vessel, they need to know how to operate it.
Carpenter advised that when going up (inbound) in the Big Locks, the skipper on the wall isn’t the only one who must pay attention. The skippers on the boats that are rafted to the boat on the wall must be aware of what is going on, too, because crazy things can happen.
For example, Carpenter has seen excited second skippers out from the wall throw off lines before the boats on the outside have departed (last boat rafted goes first). As a result, a whole raft spins out sideways in the current with everyone caught off guard.
Meyer recalled another classic example of poor boat handling skills. A 35-foot cabin cruiser was entering the Small Locks at high tide when the cat on board fell overboard. The skipper immediately abandoned the helm, grabbed a dip net and proceeded to try and scoop the cat out of the drink. But instead, he fell overboard. The woman on board had no idea how to operate the boat and totally freaked out. Only after a fast-thinking lockmaster jumped on board and took control, were the skipper and wet pet retrieved.
“It would be nice to see both the men and women on board know how to operate the boat,” Meyer advised, as he reflected on the infamous cat overboard story. “In an emergency, it’s so much safer if others beside the skipper know how to run the boat.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Ballard Locks (http://www.myballard.com/ballard-locks-seattle/) also features a visitor’s center with interpretive exhibits and a gift shop. Visiting hours for the locks and surrounding garden is 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. year-round. The fish ladder is open 7 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. year-round. Admission is free.
