Boating Safety Course Logo American Boat Operators' Course
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Water Sports and the Environment

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1

Video

2

Water Skiing Wakeboarding and Tubing

3

Hunting or Fishing From Boats

4

Environmental Concerns

5

Operating in the Aquatic Environment

6

Encounters with Whales and Marine Mammals

7

Aquatic Nuisance Species

8

Locks

9

Lowhead Dams

10

Continuing Your Boating Education

11

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 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 all people in PFDs. Put out fenders and have lines at the ready.
  • Drive boat into lock slowly and cautiously.
  • 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.
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