As in the previous year, the Oder-Havel Waterways and Shipping Authority has commissioned the company Kuhnle-Tours to train lock keepers who will be deployed on a temporary basis.
Without the additional staff hired for the evening hours, things would have been tight at the locks in the Mecklenburg Lake District last summer. The responsible waterways and shipping authority only has staff for regular operations from 9 am to 6 pm. Boaters would have had to be prepared for long waiting times. The Mirow, Diemitz, Canow and Strasen locks, which are among the busiest locks in Germany, and Wesenberg were particularly affected. Unlike many other locks between the Elbe and Oder rivers, these are operated by lock keepers and are not controlled automatically.
Charter company trains auxiliary staff
At short notice, the charter company Kuhnle advertised vacancies for auxiliary staff at the start of the 2024 season. With success. The summer jobbers were quickly and unbureaucratically trained at the locks in May last year. After their induction, they were able to operate the locks in three shifts from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day until the end of the season on 31 August. According to Edgar Enderlein, Head of the Waterways Department at WSA Oder-Havel and Charter Manager Harald Kuhnle, the operation was a complete success. For this reason, the programme is to be continued this season from June to August and interested people are once again being sought who have the time and inclination to help out at a lock one or more afternoons a week.
Longer operating hours for the summer
From 1 June to 31 August, the Kuhnle Tours lock keepers will take over the late shift from 3:30 pm to 9 pm for the long summer operating period from 7 am to 9 pm. The operation of the lock in the early shift will continue to be carried out by the full-time shift supervisors of the WSA Oder-Havel. In 2024, the charter company also managed the Steinhavel lock in Brandenburg. However, this has now been automated and is monitored remotely from the Niederfinow control centre.
Summer job without prior knowledge
Anyone aged 18 and over can apply. The requirements: Ability to swim, knowledge of German and "enjoy working with boat crews". The training takes place from 26 to 28 May. After one day of theoretical instruction and two days of practical instruction at the respective lock, the temporary staff operate the locks on their own responsibility. Their tasks consist of guiding the boats into the chamber, closing the gates and regulating the water level in the lock. No special previous knowledge is required. More information about the job at www.kuhnle.jobs
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
