Allan,
staircase locks have usally got a lock keeper and out of normal working hours the top lock and bottom lock are locked via a chain and padlock. The lock keepers are friendly and only to willing to part with their information for a safe passage through the locks. The best advice i can give is to watch out for uneven edges in the lock that may catch the side of the boat as it rises and to watch out for the stern geting trapped by the lock gate.
