DAY 97 THURS. SEPT 15, 2011
DEPART JOLIET 06:25 ARR. OTTOWA 1:40
AM TEMPS 39*, SUNNY AND COOL WIND WNW 10K-20K
D. 46.2 / 1803.2
The trick to avoiding long delays at the locks is to call ahead on the cell phone before you leave the dock and ask the lockmaster how it looks. While they can’t always know what is coming, they can usually tell you if there is a tow in the lock and roughly how soon it will be ready for a downbound recreation vessel. We do this every AM about 6:00 and plan our departure accordingly. This is just one of those tips an experienced Looper uses. Another reason for leaving early is to take advantage of the free docks. Ottowa, for example, has only 2 available, and it is the first arrivals who get them. You then have the rest of the day to relax. We cleared the Brandon Lock about 7:30 AM with no problems and no waiting. We overtook or met several tows on the way, and gained more experienced and confidence in our ability to do so. The easy ones are on a straight away, and the more nail biting ones are on the curves. The tow Captains are all very courteous and helpful. The procedure is to call them on ch.13 and ask when and how you can overtake or meet them. They respond with “one whistle” or “on the ones” (each vessel steers to the right) or “two whistles” or “on the twos” (each vessel steers to the left.) Whistle refers to USCG rules regarding sound signals for meeting and overtaking another vessel. They will also tell you when and where is the most appropriate time and place to execute this maneuver. The secret is knowing that they cannot stop and have no immediate control of their tows, but they also know the river and the best places and times to meet or pass. We arrived in Ottawa at 1:40 where we had electric, but no water. After we had cocktails with Theresa and Don we walked into town and bought some groceries.
DEPART JOLIET 06:25 ARR. OTTOWA 1:40
AM TEMPS 39*, SUNNY AND COOL WIND WNW 10K-20K
D. 46.2 / 1803.2
The trick to avoiding long delays at the locks is to call ahead on the cell phone before you leave the dock and ask the lockmaster how it looks. While they can’t always know what is coming, they can usually tell you if there is a tow in the lock and roughly how soon it will be ready for a downbound recreation vessel. We do this every AM about 6:00 and plan our departure accordingly. This is just one of those tips an experienced Looper uses. Another reason for leaving early is to take advantage of the free docks. Ottowa, for example, has only 2 available, and it is the first arrivals who get them. You then have the rest of the day to relax. We cleared the Brandon Lock about 7:30 AM with no problems and no waiting. We overtook or met several tows on the way, and gained more experienced and confidence in our ability to do so. The easy ones are on a straight away, and the more nail biting ones are on the curves. The tow Captains are all very courteous and helpful. The procedure is to call them on ch.13 and ask when and how you can overtake or meet them. They respond with “one whistle” or “on the ones” (each vessel steers to the right) or “two whistles” or “on the twos” (each vessel steers to the left.) Whistle refers to USCG rules regarding sound signals for meeting and overtaking another vessel. They will also tell you when and where is the most appropriate time and place to execute this maneuver. The secret is knowing that they cannot stop and have no immediate control of their tows, but they also know the river and the best places and times to meet or pass. We arrived in Ottawa at 1:40 where we had electric, but no water. After we had cocktails with Theresa and Don we walked into town and bought some groceries.
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| GREAT ESCAPE |
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| EARLY MORNING SEA SMOKE |
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| OVERTAKING ON "TWO WHISTLES" |
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| MEETING ON ONE WHISTLE |
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| HOLDING ONTO A FLOATING BOLLARD IN A LOCK |
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