Lock keeper

A lock keeper or lockkeeper is a person responsible for operation , maintenance and possibly repair a lock in the inland shipping is responsible. It is responsible for compliance with all relevant safety regulations . In general, according to the Inland Waterways Regulations, the employees at locks are now referred to as lock supervision. In the past, the person who was directly responsible for operating the lock elements was called Schleusenknecht , the lock master , the lock keeper .

Lock keeper building on the middle dam of the suburban lock Brandenburg

Historic lock keeper's house at the Rathenow city lock

description

In earlier decades it was customary for the guards to be permanently on site, some even lived with their families in the buildings erected next to the lock chambers, the lock homestead and the lock servant house. The lock keeper buildings had to be at least high enough to allow a view of the upper water area from the window, i.e. usually about two to three storeys. The locks were initially not powered electrically either, so the keeper had to operate the lock gates using muscle power and mechanical devices.

Lock keepers assign the respective lock chambers to the individual ships and determine the order in which they enter the lock. If necessary, they allocate the berth to recreational boaters and ensure compliance with all safety regulations (wearing life jackets, mooring to the swimmers). In addition, they have the official and technical supervision of other people employed here. In the event of malfunctions, accidents or emergencies, the lock keepers decide on the following measures, such as aborting the lock process or ordering rescue services and / or water patrol. You must also ensure that no unauthorized person enters the lock area.

In recent times, since modern technology has been used more and more, locks can even be controlled remotely from a control center. Lock keeper is not an apprenticeship , but basic hydraulic engineering training is required for this activity . Some companies also require a certificate of competence according to the STCW Convention and a general operating certificate for radio operators . The work takes place as an employee.

Lock keepers work all over the world, i.e. wherever ships use locks to overcome differences in water level. The most common locations are canals .

The term lock keeper is sometimes used in a figurative sense, as evidenced by the honor lock keeper award in Hamburg .

Web links

Wiktionary: lock keeper  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

• Brief description of a lock keeper on berufe.net.arbeitsagentur.de

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Inland Waterways Regulations, § 6.28 ff, accessed on April 1, 2015
2. ^ Rhenish dictionary accessed on April 1, 2015
3. ↑ Requirements for lock keepers on hafenkarriere.de , accessed on April 2, 2015.