Soo Locks to open March 25 for 2023 shipping season
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Soo Project Office will open the Poe Lock, 12:01 a.m., March 25, marking the 2023 Great Lakes shipping season start.
The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions.
The Poe Lock closed January 16 to undergo critical repairs and maintenance during the 10 week-long winter shutdown. Maintenance crews performed a variety of critical tasks on the Poe Lock, including Gate 1 anchorage component repairs such as replacing concrete, Gate 1 lifting lugs and turning feet, underfloor drain system inspection, Gate 1 structural inspection for future replacement, Gate 3 inspection for structural repairs, gate jacking pedestal inspections, valve repairs, Gate 3 seal repairs and culvert intake grate repairs. The (miter) gates are the large gates at each end of the lock chamber. The gates open and close allowing ships to enter and leave the lock and prevent water from entering or exiting the lock while boats are lifted or lowered.
“Crews also performed a wide range of other maintenance tasks including fender timber replacements, electrical and mechanical systems inspections, and preventative maintenance on both the Poe and MacArthur Locks and floating plant maintenance,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nick Pettit said.
Contractors also performed work on the Poe Lock ship arrestor project. OCCI of Missouri, was awarded the contract in July 2021, for $17.5M after awarded options. This winter, they completed the new downstream arrestor equipment buildings, installed the new arrestor machinery and replaced the arrestor boom.
“This winter a portion of maintenance projects on Gate 1 required the Poe Lock to remain full while others required the lock to be dewatered,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nick Pettit said. “Sequencing Poe Lock maintenance/repairs allowed our team to maximize the non-navigation season.”
The MacArthur Lock, located south of the Poe, is scheduled to open April 24.
“We welcome visitors into the park for the 2023 Soo Locks season opening. The park and viewing platform will open March 24 at 11 p.m. and close March 25 at 1 a.m. The Visitor Center will host an open house March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs said.
The park is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to open the Soo Locks Visitor Center May 1 for the summer season.
For those not able to come to the Soo Locks opening, there will be a Facebook Live stream of the first ship on our Facebook page starting at 11:55 p.m., March 24 at: https://www.facebook.com/USACEDetroitDistrict.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Marys River expanding spring icebreaking operations
Thursday March 16, 2023, the Coast Guard expands icebreaking operations in the lower St Marys River in preparation for the 2023 Great Lakes commercial shipping season.
Ice throughout the lower St Marys River, including the southern half of the West Neebish Channel, is rapidly deteriorating. With increased sunlight, the forecast of above freezing temperatures and rain, Coast Guard icebreakers will advance north of Moon Island to connect the open water at the lower end of the Rock Cut to the tracks extending south towards Munuscong (Mud) Lake. This action creates space for ice to flow, reducing the risk of ice related delays to Neebish Island Ferry operations.
On 22 March, these icebreaking activities will encompass all navigable waters of the St Marys River, including the West Neebish Channel in its entirety. Recreational users of the ice should plan their activities carefully, use caution near the ice, and stay away from charted navigation areas.
If you have questions about local or regional icebreaking activities, you may contactthe Vessel Traffic Service at (906) 635-3299 or via email sootfc@uscg.mil
USCG
Coast Guard finds ice thinner this season, making ice-breaking operations swift
Residents in Midland and nearby areas are advised that later this week, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley will be breaking up ice for commercial vessels, including the CSL Frontenac, to leave Midland Harbour.
Ice users are reminded that no ice is safe ice, and ice-breaking operations can cause ice to shift, creating unstable conditions.
Residents are urged to use extreme caution near shorelines and inland on harbours.
The Canadian and United States Coast Guards work together to ensure scheduled vessel traffic can move safely through shipping channels and community harbours in the Great Lakes and connecting waterways.
Coast guard officials say this winter’s weather has been “on its side” this year, making for thinner ice than they are typically prepared to break.
“We can see a big difference this year. We haven’t been as busy as before,” said Canadian Coast Guard Ice-breaking program superintendent Isabelle Pelchat in an interview with CTV News in January when the ships began ice-breaking to allow vessels into the harbour.
The Coast Guard notes the date and assets used for ice-breaking are subject to change without notice, as they may begin earlier or later depending on operational requirements or weather conditions.
CTV News
Detroit Ship Masters’ present Ludington Award to 2 mariners
DETROIT, MI – Two Great Lakes mariners received the prestigious Captain Lewis Ludington Award this past weekend during the annual Blessing of the Fleet at Mariners Church in Detroit, MI.
Honorees were Mark Mather, captain of VanEnkevort Tug & Barge’s Clyde S. VanEnkevort/ Erie Trader, and Ken Gerasimos, General Manager of the Great Lakes Fleet, based in Duluth, MN.
Mather attended the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and, after graduation, worked aboard tugs operated by Canonie Transportation Co., soon becoming a relief captain. In 1998, he was hired by Inland Lakes Transportation Co. as deck officer on the J.A.W. Iglehart, E.M. Ford and S.T. Crapo. Mather has been with VTB since 2017. He is a member of the Traverse City Ship Masters’ Lodge No. 23.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Gerasimos worked his way up the hawsepipe and sailed as 3rd mate on all five of the Ford Motor Co. freighters. He was the last 3rd mate on the original Benson Ford prior to its decommissioning. He is a member of the Duluth Ship Masters’ Lodge No. 12.
The Lewis Ludington Award was established by the Ludington Family and Mariners’ Church in 1994. Over the years over 90 shipmasters have been recognized for their contributions to the maritime industry on the Great Lakes. The program is under the auspices of the rector and board of trustees of Mariners’ Church and the Ludington Family, with the nominations and election of the honorees by Detroit Lodge No. 7 of the International Ship Masters’ Association.
Escanaba to welcome cruise ships for the first time
An Upper Peninsula town will welcome cruise ships for the first time this year, showing off its unique culture and Lake Michigan coastline.
Escanaba, located on Little Bay de Noc in Delta County, has been added as an “exclusive” port of call of American Queen Voyages. The Ocean Navigator will call on the port 10 times from May to August while the Ocean Voyager will visit 14 times between May and October.
Read the full story here: https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/03/this-up-town-will-welcome-cruise-ships-for-the-first-time.html?utm_campaign=mlivedotcom_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR23GIs_eNVWvXdvgibq6VlPhMUd5OoMJ2Pfc2mSggvQSMEXe-qTNcojcMw
