The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026
More ice delays at Soo Locks on Wednesday
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Ice was continuing to stall 1,000-footers at the Poe Lock on Wednesday.
After several hours of trying to get the downbound Walter J. McCarthy Jr. into the Poe in the morning, the lockmaster had her back up until she was west of the International Bridge so the smaller boats could go around her and lock through, as a traffic backlog was building.
The 1,000-footers are having trouble because ice builds up between the entering boat and the lock walls until the boat is stopped. There is only five feet of clearance on either side of the vessel. Smaller vessels don’t have the same issue, so they go through with little trouble.
Wednesday afternoon the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Vincent Massey locked up through the MacArthur Lock on her way to Thunder Bay. Stationed in Quebec City, this is her first trip to the Northern Great Lakes. She was followed by Harvest Spirit.
Downbound and delayed behind the McCarthy were Ashtabula/tug Defiance, Evans Spirit, Algoma Innovator, American Mariner, John J. Boland and Algoma Endeavour. Upbound and deplayed because they need to use the Poe Lock were Baie Comeau, Algoma Niagara, Victory/barge Maumee and Joseph L. Block.
As of mid-evening Wednesday, there were still three smaller vessels to get through the Poe Lock before the McCarthy can try her passage again.
[Know Your Ships]
Seaway Guardian assists ice-bound traffic near Upper Canada Village
On Wednesday, the U.S. tug Seaway Guardian broke ice from Snell Lock up through the Eisenhower Lock and the Wiley Dondero Canal to the icebound anchorage between Upper Canada Village, ON, and Wilson Hill Island, NY.
She arrived at the same time as the downbound FWN Sky. Sten Hidra was already anchored there.
Seaway Guardian did several circles breaking ice around Sten Hidra then went down and broke ice to the Port side of FWN Sky, which hadn’t yet left the shipping channel.
Seaway Guardian spent about 2.5 hours there and then headed back downstream. There are no Icebreakers upstream of Eisenhower Lock.
[Pat English]
Atlantic Huron arrives at her final dock
The tugs Svitzer Bedford and the Point Chebucto assisted the Atlantic Huron Wednesday morning reach her final resting place at R.J. MacIsaac Construction Ltd. Atlantic Huron will be scrapped over the coming months.
[Svitzer Canada Ltd.]
Vectis Pride first vessel of year to dock at Port of Trois-Rivières
The Port of Trois-Rivières, QC, has welcomed the first vessel of the year, Vectis Pride, marking today 60 years of maritime tradition during a ceremony.
Vectis Pride docked at the Port on January 4, 2026, at 12:05 a.m. after a voyage of 15 days across the Atlantic. The vessel, with its 13 crew members of Filipino, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian nationalities, departed the Port of Antwerp on December 20, 2025. Its steel cargo from Antwerp is handled by Logistec and destined for the construction industry.
To win the title of the first vessel of the year, it must come from a foreign port, must have completed its crossing without stopping or calling at another Canadian port, and must also carry out loading or unloading operations in Trois-Rivières.
During the ceremony, Captain Danut Ivan and Chief Engineer Andrei Tyshko received gift baskets of regional products, as well as a print of the artwork A Port, A Team, created by Ms. Caroline St-Pierre, a painter from Mauricie.
Anick Métivier, President and CEO of the Port, highlighted the work of Logistec, a company specializing in the handling of all types of goods. He emphasized the ecosystem required and the efforts of all those mobilized to ensure ships reach their destination safely and as quickly as possible.
He also took the opportunity to stress the importance of maintaining a strong City-Port relationship and noted that 2026 will allow the Port to shape an even more ambitious future.
[Maritime Matters]
VIDEO: Vincent Massey breaking ice in Thunder Bay
Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance
The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to all marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, or until commercial traffic ceases, through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform seasonal critical maintenance.
Federal regulation (33 CFR 207.440) establishes the operating season based on the feasibility of vessels operating during typical Great Lakes ice conditions.
“Every year, our lock and dam operators transition from assisting vessels through the Soo Locks to performing maintenance on the locks,” Operations Branch Chief Jeff Harrington said. “The team works alongside Soo Project Office maintenance crews to provide 100% effort in completing all critical maintenance during the 10-week shutdown. They work long hours in harsh northern Michigan winter conditions to complete a significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period.”
This winter maintenance period, the MacArthur Lock will not be dewatered and will close for the season when the weather or ice conditions make operation unsafe and/or inefficient, or when the Poe Lock closes, whichever comes first. Communication with industry will be made at least 48 hours prior to closure. The MacArthur Lock is scheduled to reopen in late April 2026.
The Poe lock will remain operational (on a 24-hour basis) through January 15, 2026, or until commercial traffic ceases – whichever occurs first. The Poe Lock will be dewatered during the maintenance season and is scheduled to reopen on March 25.
The team will install temporary panel bridges across the MacArthur and Poe Lock. The panel bridges will provide the ability to mobilize materials and equipment to the job sites throughout the winter closure.
Maintenance on the MacArthur Lock will include the Soo Project Office fabricating and replacing spring boxes and lever arms for Gates 3, 4 and 5, constructing a recess cutout for the panel bridge, repairing a Gate 2 strut arm, as well as concrete and deck plate repairs to Gate 5
Maintenance on the Poe Lock will include underfloor cleanout and manhole inspection, a five-year periodic assessment, Gate 1 repairs, Gate 4 lifting lug installation, Gate 3 jacking pedestal repairs and testing of Ice Study wall coating.
In addition to the above, crews will also perform a wide range of other maintenance tasks from the replacement of pier fender timbers to inspections and preventative maintenance on electrical and mechanical systems on both the Poe and MacArthur Locks.
“Reliable Great Lakes navigation and the momentum of the American manufacturing supply chain depend on getting the job done here. In an unforgiving northern climate, our exceptional team tackles the complex maintenance demands of aging infrastructure, proving their skill on systems well past their service life.” Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem said.
More than 4,500 vessels, carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo, maneuver through the locks annually. Iron ore, coal, wheat and limestone are among the most frequently carried commodities. Opened in 1969, the Poe Lock is 1,200 feet long. The MacArthur Lock opened in 1943 and is 800 feet long.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system of 81 harbors, including the Great Lakes Connecting Channels that join lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie.
Visit the Detroit District Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/USACEDetroitDistrict for information about the last vessel to transit the Soo Locks for the 2025-2026 shipping season and updates on maintenance work.
[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District]
South Channel in Straits of Mackinac
to close Jan. 8 due to ice
The Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes is scheduled to close the South Channel in the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.
According to the Coast Guard, the closure is due to expanded ice coverage in the area. The channel, located between Cheboygan and Bois Blanc Island, will remain in effect until ice is no longer a concern. Any ship traffic in the area can continue to use the Round Island Passage, on the northern side of Bois Blanc Island.
[USCG]
Seaway to close Jan. 8; upbound traffic resumes at Beauharnois Lock
After several days of delays caused by heavy ice and one-way downbound traffic, upbound movement has finally resumed at the Beauharnois Locks. The Seaway will now close Jan. 8.
Tanker Algonova was first to make the passage Monday en route to Sarnia. Following closely behind, tug Wilf Seymour and barge Alouette Spirit were also underway, heading upbound to Hamilton.
With freezing conditions causing repeated issues in the lock chambers and requiring slow, staggered transits for downbound vessels, this progress marks a significant shift in momentum.
[Janey Anderson]
Discover the inner workings of the S.S. Badger with new guided tours
By Justine Lofton
LUDINGTON, MI – You’re invited to take a rare behind-the-scenes look at this historic Lake Michigan car ferry.
There will be three two-hour guided tours of the S.S. Badger, including the engine room and pilot house, this spring in Ludington.
“Spots and dates are limited, so book your tour now to discover the ship’s inner workings firsthand,” officials said in the announcement.
Tours are scheduled for 7:45-10 p.m. on Fridays, May 29, and June 5 and 12, at 701 Maritime Drive in Ludington. They are open to people 10 and older; minors must be with a parent or guardian.
To book your ticket, click “Buy Tickets” on the upper right of the S.S. Badger website and then select “Dockside Pilot House and Engine Room Tours” in the pop-up window. Tickets are $53 each after online booking fees.
The tours are scheduled for just after the ships arrives back at its Ludington dock after crossing Lake Michigan from Manitowoc, Wis.
Complete story with video at: https://www.mlive.com/life/2026/01/discover-the-inner-workings-of-the-ss-badger-with-new-guided-tours.html
