GL: [AGLCA-2007:4136] CONTACTING LOCKMASTERS ON THE HEARTLAND RIVERS

[ALloyd217@aol.com]

John,  The rules say to request a lockage give one long blast followed by one 
short blast.  I have been boating on the western rivers for 20 years and 
never seen (heard) this procedure used.   
The common procedure as you know is to call on channel 13 or 14.   Many locks 
have a pull chain located at each end of the lock which signals the 
lockmaster that lockage is required by recreational craft.  
 
When the lock is ready for entrance, the lock will give the following signal:
One long blast indicates permission to enter the landward lock
Two long blasts indicates permission to enter the riverside lock, if any. 
Remember: One if by land, two if by sea.
 
Flashing signal lights are used to supplement the sound signals as follows:
Red light:  Lock cannot be prepared immediately - stand clear.
Amber light: Lock is being prepared.
Green light: Lock is ready for entrance.
Some locks have a white strobe light to signal recreational craft that the 
lock is ready to enter.
 
One short blast indicates permission to leave the landward lock.
Two short blasts indicates permission to leave the riverside lock.
This signal is ALWAYS given.
Recreational craft will receive a stern warning if they even untie before the 
signal.
(It is not necessary for recreational craft to acknowledge by repeating the 
signal)
A tow will give one long blast to indicate she is leaving the lock and 
usually issue a securite call. 
 
Alan Lloyd
Great Circle Navigation Notes
_www.NavigationNotes.com_ (http://www.navigationnotes.com/) 
Visit web site for more information.



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