I used to lock thru Markland several years ago and it was pretty simple. Pull your boat up to a designated area before the locks and wait. When the lock is ready, the gates will open and you can enter the lock (assuming no traffic exiting). Pull boat to side wall and hook rope to sliding ring and boat cleat. Boat is supposed to be "secured" during lockage. After water level adjusts, gates will open, untie boat, and exit lock.

This is a very simplified version of the process. Commercial traffic has priority over recreational. Some locks have pull chain to notify desire to lock. The lockmaster uses lights and horns to signal boaters. If you have a VHF you can contact lockmaster for directions.

There is a link on the USACE website that describes the process in detail, including all the signals. Look for links to "navigation". If I can find them again, I will post the links here.

In some instances, you will be allowed to lock thru with commercial traffic. I only did so once. It was a tug moving a couple of small barges and there was plenty of room to avoid each other. Like everything on the water, use some common sense and all will be OK.

Joe