To study the docking operation method of the Three Gorges ship lift,the paper analyzes the operation process,working principle and reliability of docking stop device of the Three Gorges ship lift,the data show that the overall reliability of the docking stop device is high.According to the working principle of docking stopping device,combined with the operation experience of Three Gorges ship lift,the “RTA three-element method” is put forward to judge the trough's docking position,so as to ensure the safety of the trough's docking stopping.At the same time,according to different operating conditions,the large stroke re-docking method,small stroke re-docking method and forced signal re-docking method are proposed to realize the accurate stopping of the Three Gorges ship lift.The research results can improve the operation safety and efficiency of the Three Gorges ship lift,provide technical guidance for the trough's docking stopping of the Three Gorges ship lift,and provide reference for other ship lift trough's docking stopping operations at home and abroad.