This is a floating bollard that allows boaters and the tugs to wrap a line around the bollard.
The bollard floats up and down so boats can tend their lines on the bollard. This type of bollard eliminates hanging on to a cable secured at the top of the lock chamber. As the water level descends you must tend your line — Never NEVER tie the line to your boat because, if you are inattentive and fail to tend the line, your boat with line tied to the boat cleat may hang on the lock wall with no water below. The lock workers are always checking to see if your line is free and not tied to the cleat of your boat. The floating bollards eliminate the hassle of tending lines. Just float with the bollard by throwing one line around the stem of the bollard and wait for a ride up or a ride down.
