 Keelmen loaded coal into the keel's hold from a "spout" or riverside chute.The keel would then be taken down river on the ebb tide using oars, or sail if the wind was favourable, and taken alongside the waiting collier where the crew would shovel the coal into the collier, working even after darkness.This could be arduous due to the difference in height between the keel's gunwale and the collier's deck.