The waterways are enjoyed by a wide variety of users in craft powered by oar, sail or engine and inhabited by wildlife nesting, wading or swimming.
In some areas the waterways authorties have installed speed limit signs to inform boaters of the potential danger of the wake from their craft to other users. Reduce your speed and give a wide berth to other water users. Always reduce speed when passing smaller craft like rowing & angling boats and keep an eye out for swimmers, wakeboard or waterskiers as they can be difficult to see from a boat. A slow approach enables you to assess the situation and that your craft does not pose any danger to them in the water.
Information on operating the locks:
Many of the locks in Ireland, Norfolk Broads and France are operated by lock keepers. However some of the canals in Scotland, Wales and England may be operated maually.
When the lock is full approach it gently and have mooring ropes ready to give to the lock keeper. Make sure the ropes pass outside and under the safety hand rails. The rope will be placed around a mooring bollard and returned to you to hold. Hold on tightly until the boat starts to drop and feed the rope out gradually but still holding it firmly until the lock has emptied. When the lower gates are opened proceed slowly letting the boats in front of you go through first.
Under no circumstances tie the ropes around the bollard or the cruiser. This could not only damage the cruiser but also injure a member of the crew.
If on your arrival at the lock the gates are closed, you then will have to moor up and wait for the gates to open.
When the lock is empty, proceed gently, making sure there are no boats still in the lock. Enter the lock on the instructions of the lock keeper and again you have both mooring ropes to throw to the lock keeper making sure they are under and outside the safety hand rail. The rope will be placed around a mooring bollard and passed back to you to hold. When the boat begins to rise, keep the rope pulled in until the lock is full. Proceed out of the lock as before and remember to ensure your dinghy is tightly secured.