Are the lock and dams open?
- Thread starter TurboTim
- Start date
jabs
New Member
- Sep 25, 2009
- 179
- Boat Info
- 2000 Searay 270
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 Alpha 1 - 240 hours
You don't need one but it does come in handy. You can use your cell to call them for wait times and such.
270SLX
Member
- Dec 12, 2006
- 290
- Boat Info
- 2005 270 SLX; Navman 5500; no trailer; Dry stacked.
- Engines
- 6.2 320 HP Bravo III drive.
Yes, the locks are open. They're always open except when the river is closed due to ice. There are auxiliary locks for pleasure boats at lock 14 and 15. They are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
A radio on a boat is nearly a must. At the locks, you can simply wait for the lock to open hoping they know you're sitting there waiting. Or, you can go up to the pull cord an give it a yank. But it is a lot better if you can get on channel 14 and say "Lock 13, this is a northbound pleasure boat. How long is my wait going North?" The lockmaster will radio back and hopefully, he says your wait is just a few minutes. Sometimes, he'll say and hour and a half. Or more. Lots of times, you can just monitor channel 14 while you're arriving at the lock and you'll hear someone else get the wait time.
Last year, about 2 miles above lock 12, I overheard the lockmaster and the coasties going back and forth about a small craft in trouble. They were breaking up but I could hear "above the dam . .. " and "no power". The coast guard was below the dam and there was a tow in the lock so there was nothting they could do to help. I broke in and offered assistance. They directed me to the hapless boater. He and his son were paddling furiously against strong currents and a 25 mph wind. They were only about 40 yards above the dam. When we got there, they looked terrified. The Admiral threw them a line and boy did they look relieved. So, that's one example of when a radio on board might have saved a life. Get a $100 handheld if nothing else.
Dennis
A radio on a boat is nearly a must. At the locks, you can simply wait for the lock to open hoping they know you're sitting there waiting. Or, you can go up to the pull cord an give it a yank. But it is a lot better if you can get on channel 14 and say "Lock 13, this is a northbound pleasure boat. How long is my wait going North?" The lockmaster will radio back and hopefully, he says your wait is just a few minutes. Sometimes, he'll say and hour and a half. Or more. Lots of times, you can just monitor channel 14 while you're arriving at the lock and you'll hear someone else get the wait time.
Last year, about 2 miles above lock 12, I overheard the lockmaster and the coasties going back and forth about a small craft in trouble. They were breaking up but I could hear "above the dam . .. " and "no power". The coast guard was below the dam and there was a tow in the lock so there was nothting they could do to help. I broke in and offered assistance. They directed me to the hapless boater. He and his son were paddling furiously against strong currents and a 25 mph wind. They were only about 40 yards above the dam. When we got there, they looked terrified. The Admiral threw them a line and boy did they look relieved. So, that's one example of when a radio on board might have saved a life. Get a $100 handheld if nothing else.
Dennis
katricol
Active Member
Dennis.....you are a hero!!!!! way to go.
