Eclusiers (Lock Keepers)
Today while we were passing through an automatic lock we watched a lock- keeper scooping weed off the gates and out of the water of the lock. We were reflecting on all the behind-the-scenes work performed by the VNF (Voies navigable de France) which celebrates 20 years this year.
We notice the work of "eclusers" most when we are working through manual or mechanised locks. On the big locks, they are in a huge tower pressing buttons and pulling levers to make sure that the lock operates properly. They also monitor who goes into which lock. On the Moselle, traffic signals indicated that we should join a big commercial barge in a lock when we were not sure we would fit- and of course, they were right.
On the Rhine there are parallel locks, one wider (22 metres) than the other (11 metres) so they decide which lock to use for which boat. At one stage, we went quickly through the "little" lock as directed while two huge barges were slowly going through the big one.
In the smaller locks the lock keepers are closer to the action and one can have a conversation with them, but they perform the same function, monitoring the traffic and making sure that everything works smoothly. In the "manual" locks they have to physically open and close the gates. We always help out by working one gate while they do the other and also assisting with the separate sluice gates. We find these keepers to be very friendly and helpful and they have a good knowledge about their canal and its surroundings. They have many times passed on information about a local mooring place, restaurant or shop and we have found their recommendations accurate.
With automatic locks there seems to be a trouble- shooter waiting in the wings in case he is needed. Yesterday we were waiting for a lock which looked ready to open but the gates did not move. While we were still talking about whether to ring up the "help" number, a familiar white VNF van pulled up and the wandering lock keeper pressed the right button to get the process underway. Presumably there is some sort of signal system to alert the team to trouble.
A couple of days ago, we entered a lock and the gates closed behind us- then "nothing". The whole thing was "dead". We had to phone them up for assistance, whichg was quickly provided.
Behind the scenes work importantly includes maintaining the locks so that they keep functioning. We have seen people welding up broken gates, laying concrete to fix collapsing walls, clearing weed, logs and dead animals out of locks, as well as mowing the grass around the locks and canals and painting them. Without this ongoing maintenance there would be more damage to boats and more need of major maintenance which would close the whole canal.
Overall, our preference is for manual locks. It is the automatic ones that seem to break down. As well, if someone climbs up to assist the eclusier, we have found the manual locks to be faster. Perhaps more so for us because we are big and heavy so we can tolerate a much higher rate of flow of water in and out of locks whereas automatic locks must cater for small and big boats and so fill/empty more slowly.
Best Regards,
Penny and Dave
