Which of the following vessels has priority when entering a lock?

When entering a lock, military or naval craft generally have priority due to their strategic importance and the potential operational requirements. This prioritization is in place to ensure the efficient movement of military vessels, which may be on a schedule that is critical to national security or defense.

The operation of locks is typically governed by specific rules and regulations that aim to facilitate smooth coordination among various types of vessels. Although commercial vessels and tugboats play essential roles in transportation and logistics, military craft take precedence in many situations due to their operational needs.

Private pleasure craft are usually at the bottom of the priority list since they are not critical to commerce, security, or operational readiness. This hierarchical system helps manage the flow of traffic in busy waterways, ensuring that more critical operations, such as those involving military vessels, are prioritized appropriately.