Basic Rules

Navigating on a canal is surprisingly easy. It's mostly a matter of common sense, but you do need to keep an eye out all the time you're moving, which has nothing to do with the stress that you can experience when driving. 

The maximum authorised speed is 5 to 8 km per hour, in order not to damage the banks. 
Navigation is limited to daylight hours and it is forbidden to navigate after sunset. When you have the water to yourself, you may stay in the centre of the canal or river, but if another craft is approaching, you should keep to the right. 

Never obstruct commercial traffic, which always has priority. Don't forget that they earn their living on the river ! 

Slow down when you approach fishermen and watch out for fishing lines.

Ropes
Ensure that your mooring ropes are always neatly coiled and correctly stored on the deck. 

Coming in to moor 
Approach at the slowest possible speed. Don't forget that a boat has no brakes and is slow to react. 

Mooring-up
It is important to make sure that your boat is properly moored up, especially overnight
You may moor your boat anywhere, 
except where there is a No Mooring sign,
within 200 metres of a lock, 
on a tight bend,
where the waterway narrows, 
or under a bridge. 

Locks
In principle, the locks are open every day, except on may the first 
It takes between 10 and 20 minutes to navigate a lock, depending on the type of lock. Follow the lock-keeper's instructions with regard to your boat's engine.

The Garonne Lateral Canal has automatic locks with a lock-keeper, which allows several cruisers to go through at once. 

Red and green lights control the entrance. Follow the instructions in your River Guide and the instructions of your lock-keeper.
Lights off : stopped navigation
1 red light : occupied lock - stop - wait a moment
2 red lights : Stop. Lock in safety
1 red light and 1 green light : stop and prepare to advance.
2 green lights : proceed

Approaching a lock
If the lock gates are closed as you approach, moor up about 100 metres before the lock. 

In the lock
Do not jump on the roof of the boat. They are fragile and may be slippery. 
Watch out for your mooring ropes ! They should always be free-flowing and should never be attached to bollards or mooring pegs. 
If you use the ladders inside the locks, watch out for falling water. 

Leaving a lock
Wait until the doors are completely open. Exit straight ahead in the middle of the waterway, you have 3 minutes before the closing of the doors. 

The timetable for the locks on the Garonne Lateral Canal

For the remainder of the year, the navigation is on request, you have to contact V.N.F (Voies Navigables de France) : 05.53.47.31.15

The timetable for the locks in Agen 

Facilities at the Marina
Water, electricity, shower,WC, telephone kiosque at 100 metres, mooring, boat storage, crane facilities.