Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance.

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to all marine
traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 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, the Corps of Engineers uses the non-navigation winter period to perform
maintenance and keep the Soo Locks operating,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nicholas Pettit
said. “The Detroit District team works long hours in extreme conditions to complete a
significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period. The work they perform is
unique, especially given the harsh northern Michigan winter conditions they work in.”

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Seaway’s last vessels for the season

MONTREAL, QC – Jan. 5 marked the closing of the Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the
binational St. Lawrence Seaway. The tanker Mia Desgagnes was the last downbound vessel to
transit the U.S. Locks for the 2023 shipping season. The vessel was transporting petroleum
products from Sarnia to Montreal.

The bulk carrier Algoma Conveyor was the last upbound vessel to transit the U.S. locks for the
2023 navigation season. The vessel was in ballast transiting from Quebec to Port Colborne, ON.

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

 Winter lay-up list is now active

You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/

The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.