In order to pass through the locks , there is a charge for the ship as well as everyone on board including crew and passenger.

We started on Rhine, then Main and Danube. From Bamberg onward we enter Main-Danube Canal….. built from 1960-1992

Every 20 minutes we enter another so they are not opening the sun decks

Cost was 2.3 B for this canal to be built-16 locks on this section

Hoping to build storage reservoirs to save for times of low levels, like last year.

There are 68 locks in total from Amsterdam to Budapest.

The highest level is 1332 ft high at Scheitelalhatung or 406 metres above sea level. All are remotely controlled …in 4 locations only.

The canal is 171 kilometre long.. longest length, 190 meters …3 m. longer than this boat and about 6 inches wider.

123 bridges on this section…..1000+ overall.

They’ve only had 1 dam break …in 1979. Before that there weren’t any inspection but now they have regular inspections

Each lock has 3 reservoir….don’t use the river water……pour the water into the lock then suck it back out.

There is little as 20 cms clearance between ship and bridges. Captain can still control the height of if still too high by adding water to tanks.

One ship replaces 82 freight trucks or 42 cargo wagons

Use is 49% cargo freight, 43% cruise ship, balance private vessels.

It is so beautiful sailing up this river. It is clean everywhere (NO GARBAGE)…. and green (their season is a bit ahead of us in Victoria). In some places it seams that like you paddling a canoe on a Creek, it’s so narrow, we’re at water level and there is lots of birds especially swans, mallards and Egyptian Geese (some Canada Geese too). We are amazing at how really lovely it is…. seeing all the castles and quaint villages. (The locals seem to think the castles are boring). The locks may well become monotonous! And the number of bridge….. incredible!