I have encountered this effect in a number of narrow channels. The most concerning was in a canal between Belgium and Holland. I was instructed to side tie to a powered canal barge about 90 feet long for the first lock. I pulled off promptly and was well clear by the time the barge was underway. He was making 8 knots, and I usually ran at 7 knots. There was a place where I could take a shortcut because of my shallower draft, and I came back to the main canal just abeam of the Canal Barge as the waterway narrowed. I was caught between the bow and stern waves. Although I could max at at 9 knots, I could not climb over the bow wave, and if I slowed down, I was pushed more toward the rocks by the stern wave as I tried to break free. The canal barge was ever pushing me toward the rocks. I hailed on channel 16 in both English and French. The skipper flipped me off. Finally I gave a Sécurité call to the next bridge tender. He responded that this barge had done this before, and if he did not allow my “escape” the canal barge would be held at the next lock and authorities would be summoned.
The barge immediately slowed—and I was able to break free of the stern wave. In the German Kiel Canal even at limited speed the large ships would drop the water level 2 to 3 feet as they pass.
Bob Austin
I have encountered this effect in a number of narrow channels. The most concerning was in a canal between Belgium and Holland. I was instructed to side tie to a powered canal barge about 90 feet long for the first lock. I pulled off promptly and was well clear by the time the barge was underway. He was making 8 knots, and I usually ran at 7 knots. There was a place where I could take a shortcut because of my shallower draft, and I came back to the main canal just abeam of the Canal Barge as the waterway narrowed. I was caught between the bow and stern waves. Although I could max at at 9 knots, I could not climb over the bow wave, and if I slowed down, I was pushed more toward the rocks by the stern wave as I tried to break free. The canal barge was ever pushing me toward the rocks. I hailed on channel 16 in both English and French. The skipper flipped me off. Finally I gave a Sécurité call to the next bridge tender. He responded that this barge had done this before, and if he did not allow my “escape” the canal barge would be held at the next lock and authorities would be summoned.
The barge immediately slowed—and I was able to break free of the stern wave. In the German Kiel Canal even at limited speed the large ships would drop the water level 2 to 3 feet as they pass.
Bob Austin
