As last year, the Oder-Havel Waterways and Shipping Authority has once again commissioned the company Kuhnle-Tours to train lock keepers, who will be deployed for a limited period of time.
Without the additional staff deployed for the evening hours, there would have been a shortage at the locks in the Mecklenburg Lake District last summer. As the responsible authority, the Waterways and Shipping Office, only provides staff for regular operations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., boaters would have had to expect long waiting times. The locks in Mirow, Diemitz, Canow, Strasen and Wesenberg, which are among the busiest locks in the country, were particularly affected. Unlike many other locks between the Elbe and Oder rivers, which are controlled automatically, these locks are operated manually by lock keepers.
Charter company trains lock keepers
At the start of the 2024 season, the charter company Kuhnle successfully advertised short-term positions for auxiliary staff. The summer jobbers were quickly and unbureaucratically trained at the locks in May of last year. After their induction, smooth operation was possible until the end of the season on 31 August. Edgar Enderlein, head of the waterways department at WSA Oder-Havel, and charter manager Harald Kuhnle were satisfied with how the programme went. The programme will therefore continue this season from June to August. Interested parties who have the time and inclination to help out at a lock once or several times a week in the afternoon are once again being sought.
Longer operating hours in 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.
No previous knowledge necessary
Anyone aged 18 and over can apply. Prerequisites are the ability to swim, knowledge of German and enjoy working with boat crews. The training runs from 26 to 28 May. After one day of theoretical training and two days of practical instruction at the relevant lock, the temporary staff take over responsibility for operating the locks. Their tasks include guiding the boats into the lock chamber, closing the gates and regulating the water level. No special previous knowledge is required. Further information about the job can be found at www.kuhnle.jobs.
