Harvey Lock

Comment by: Capt Sam, Here's To Us, on Feb 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

February 12, 2022. Sam of WhatYachtToDo on a training and delivery journey. Sea Ray 480MY with a 4-ft draft. Westbound from the Industrial Lock up the Mississippi, it is a challenge to get ahold of this lock and find out your queue passage. I could see an eastbound tow in the lock on my AIS. I set up a holding pattern/racetrack on the Mississippi NW of the entrance and stayed out of the way of ships. Monitor CH 11 and let them know what you are doing while you have your other radio on 14 for the lock to give you instructions. And of course, your third radio on Ch 16. It is a busy time and you need to bring your A game.Westbound they control the 4th St Bridge and will open it. Don't untie until it is open and the horn is sounded. The RR bridge is normally open (and they control that as well).

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Comment by: William OBrien, At Last, on Feb 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 6.0'

Called up lock master on VHF14. Traveling East Bound, we had to wait as a very large tug with the Core of Engineers was entering and they could not accommodate anyone else. The wait is a bit as it takes time for boats to tie up, lock to fill with water (about 5') and then open. The locks will let oncoming traffic come into the lock then lower back to your level here. We were not instructed to tie up and just had to kind of drive around. The wind was high and the current was too. Also the area has a lot of industrial activity going on. Then two tugs came up behind us and it was difficult to let them pass due to how narrow it is. The 2 tugs and our boat went into the lock together. I was ready to hand them our spring line but they handed down a rope to us instead. We tied as best we could but the bow of our boat did hit the wall. Thank goodness we had bow thrusters to help adjust us. I think the wake of the other tugs motors in the lock threw us around a bit.

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Comment by: Jake Hottes on Nov 27, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.5'

Called lockmaster on VHF 14. The lock was empty and open so he brought me straight in. Had me pull to starboard wall, dropped me down 1 rope to tie on with. Locking was smooth and quick.

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Comment by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

When transiting these locks, pay close attention to the curfew times of the bridges. It's very easy to get "trapped" on one end or the other. And we found that no one will even respond to you on VHF during these times. And don't forget to check in with Traffic when you enter the river.

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