How to use the online alarm clock
As you hand the first canal opening over to the next person on duty, set the alarm for 8:19 am so the first boat is not left waiting at the lock. That gives the changeover a precise moment rather than relying on someone checking the clock while keys, notes and safety details are being passed across. It also leaves a clear stretch before 9:00 am for confirming that the gate and approach are ready.
While the boat movement is being prepared, this alarm page may sit behind a timetable, weather report or message window. A background browser page can be slowed or suspended, so keep it active and the sound turned up where you can hear it. Closing the page or allowing the handset to sleep means the alarm cannot sound for the canal opening; use a separate clock if the handover depends on a guaranteed alert.
Once the first boat has cleared, note what must happen next that morning before stepping away. Use the remaining time before the next job to record the passage, return shared equipment and leave the lock area ready for whoever follows. A short written handover now prevents that early buffer from disappearing into small unfinished tasks.
Common questions
Do I need an account or an app?
Neither. Choose a time and a sound, press Start, and it runs in this browser tab. Nothing is downloaded, nothing is registered, and closing the page leaves nothing behind on the device.
Can I change the sound?
Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
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