Description
Operate and tend canal locks to move vessels safely and efficiently on inland waterways. Control gates and valves, direct traffic, monitor water and weather conditions, keep records, maintain equipment, and may supervise lock operations.
- • Operate gates, valves, and machinery to fill, empty, open, and close lock chambers.
- • Activate navigation lights, warning horns, and alarms as needed.
- • Monitor approaching vessels; assess size, draft, and speed; acknowledge whistle or radio signals.
- • Direct vessel movements in and out of locks via signals, VHF radio, or loudspeakers.
- • Sequence and position vessels to maximize lockage efficiency.
- • Secure vessels with lines to bitts or bollards and instruct crews on line handling.
- • Adjust water levels by opening or closing culvert and miter gate valves.
- • Record vessel names, types, cargo, direction, and times of passage.
- • Log water levels, river flow, and weather conditions.
- • Inspect gates, valves, actuators, fenders, guide walls, and bollards; report defects.
- • Clean, lubricate, and make minor repairs and adjustments to lock equipment.
- • Perform grounds and facility upkeep, including sweeping, painting, and yard work.
- • Prepare and submit maintenance work orders and incident or accident reports.
- • Enforce safety procedures and keep public areas clear during lockages.
- • Coordinate with nearby dams and dispatch to manage traffic and water control.
- • Maintain station security and watch for hazards or obstructions.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
