I managed to navigate through the lock without too much trouble thanks to the help of the kind operator lady. The next opening contained numerous ships. After I entered, the door closed and they removed the water from the lock. The 14,000 pound sailboat lowered about 3 feet. The operator taught me how to string two dock lines to posts and one back to each hand. I can let out the lines from the center of the boat and let it fall with the falling water level in at least perceived control. After the water lowered, the other door opened and I was on my way to what turned out to be a great free town dock experience.