Florida’s largest lock connects the ocean to the Banana River. Ships, fishing and pleasure boats, barges, and even space vehicles use Canaveral Lock to access the port. Gates on the extra-wide lock open to adjust water levels, ensuring vessels’ safe passage to and from Brevard County’s inland waterways. The Canaveral Locks also have acoustical detection devices to protect manatees from injury, and manatees play in the lock while feeding on estuary seagrass beds.