District of Columbia Boating

American Boat Operators' Course

District of Columbia Boat Operators' Course

Water Sports and the Environment
Return to Table of Contents
1	Video
2	Water Skiing Wakeboarding and Tubing
3	Hunting or Fishing From Boats
4	Diving and Snorkeling
5	Operating in the Aquatic Environment
6	Encounters with Whales and Marine Mammals
7	Aquatic Nuisance Species
8	Submersed Aquatic Vegetation
9	Locks
10	Lowhead Dams
11	Commercial Licensing
12	Boat Races and Regattas
13	Maritime Communications
14	Vessel Safety Check
15	Continuing Your Boating Education
16	Chapter Summary
17	Chapter Review

LOCKS

Locks are used to move boats from one water level to another.

Locks

At larger locks, the “lockmaster” controls all movement in and out of the locks.
Contact the lockmaster on marine radio channel 13 VHF-FM. If you receive no response on the radio, try two long and two short blasts from your horn and follow the light signals that are displayed at each entrance to the lock.
A lighted signaling system, similar to a streetlight, helps the lock master control movement.
Red = stop, yellow = caution, and green = go.
Have everyone wear a life jacket. Put out fenders and have lines at the ready.
Drive the boat into the lock slowly and cautiously.
The gates will close and the water will either rise or fall, depending on if you are going to a higher or lower water level.
As soon as the water in the lock reaches the proper level, the gates are opened and the light turns green. Release all lines and exit slowly.