On the way to Berg, 16 June 2020

We arrive in Berg after going through the Roxen lake. The pedestrian on the rock at the entrance of the Berg guest harbour is the mark of Berg. 

Magic welcome by a shoal of swans as we enter the Berg guest pier

Encounters on Lake Roxen

Berg is quite a myth for "Kanalers" as it consists of 7 locks in a row, going up 3 metres at a time. We arrive one hour before the closing, but the operator of the lock accepts to get us up, even though it may take more than one hour. In fact, we will make it in 50 minutes as we are now so used to passing through. 

The Berg flight of locks from below

Lessons learned while passing the locks

We installed a 45 metre mooring line on the front of the boat, passing through the two pulleys that we usually use for the spinnaker sheets placed at the front of the boat. It then passes in the pulleys used for the genoa and is attached to the electric winch.

For the back line, after many trials, we chose to use the spinnaker sheet for securing Belisama in the locks. The reason is that is is rather long (20 metres) and rather light, as I have to throw it up to Stéphane who is on the shore. The sheet goes through the back cleat, and is attached to the rear winch. 

The front lock line going g through the genoa pulleys and then to the front of the boat through two pulleys (black line)

The front line on the electric winch, and the spinnaker sheet going through the cleat to the rear winch.

The actions to pass the locks are as follows:

1. Drop Stéphane on the shore on the way in the lock, on the left side since we chose to lock on portside. This is not the easiest part of it as the dropping spot is usually very small. 
2. Stéphane jumps out with the front lock line in his hand, and accompany the boat as it enters the lock.
3. When the front is about two metres from the lock front door, Stéphane tells me to stop the boat and he attaches the front mooring line by passing its buckle through the mooring ring.
4. I tightened the font line using the electric winch put in reverse to avoid hitting the four lock door while taking care of the back mooring line.
5. With the boat on reverse, I throw the back line to Stéphane who attaches it to the closest mooring ring on the back. I then tighten the back mooring line using the rear winch.
6. As the water start entering the lock, I stand up on the side of the boat and pull the front lock line in as the boat gets up and the line gets loose. 
7. As we reach the upper level, Stéphane sends me the rear lock line back onboard, and takes the front line with him to the next lock. 

Here is a short movie showing you the whole process...