Re: Arresting Cables

From: Capt. R. Metz
Location: Fl.
email: dgmetz@aol.com
Remote Name: 64.12.117.75
Date: 09.27.07
Time: 06:45:31 AM

Comments

I entered lock 7 in the Welland Canal with the Oakglen and had the wind on my stern, half way into the lock I rang up 1/2 astern, the ship was not slowing fast enough so I rang up full astern. The lock Master was getting a bit nervous as the bow crept closer to the arresting cable. He kept on telling me to back her and I told him I was going full astern I ordered the wires to be put on the bits and to hang on to her. The lock master still kept yelling 3 ft. 2ft. 1ft. the bow stem just kissed the cable and started to go astern. A few reasons why this happened is I had a wind pushing me, at times when they are dumping of filling another lock like in the flight locks you will feel a surge pushing the ship ahead or astern. The depth of water under the hull and prop is only a few feet deep and the prop will lose some effect in backing. The ships speed into a lock may be to fast. As a ship enters a lock the bow will push the water to the far end of the chamber and will build up causing a bumper and slowing the ship down especially a loaded ship. At times I would have to ring up 1/2 ahead to get her into the lock. As the built up water starts to run along side of the ship it reduces the bumper and the ship will pick up speed, you have to watch closely the speed and then back her to stop. As a good safe rule I always tried to stop the ship about 12 ft. from the cable and then winch her up to the stop mark painted on the lock wall.