The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026
Traffic is dwindling as the Soo Locks close at midnight Jan. 15.
On a sunny Sunday morning, CSL’s Frontenac locked downbound loaded with grain for Port Colborne. Sunday afternoon Manitoulin was downbound for Buffalo, followed by Algoma Niagara for Detroit and Maumee/Victory, also for Buffalo. Edgar B. Speer was expected to lock down for Burns Harbor around midnight.
Herbert C. Jackson, which spent Saturday night/early Sunday moored on the lower MacArthur Lock pier, was upbound Sunday before noon to load ore at Marquette, taking the dock from Wilfred Sykes. Sunday evening the American Spirit was headed for Marquette and Hon. James L. Oberstar was upbound for Superior and lay up. Clyde S. VanEnkevort and her barge were upbound for Duluth.
USCG Biscayne Bay, Neah Bay and Katmai Bay were busy working lower river ice Sunday, however mechanical issues caused Katmai Bay to return to her Group Soo base in the early afternoon.
[Know Your Ships]
CCGS Judy LaMarsh heads to the Welland Canal
After tirelessly assisting vessel movements through the ice-laden South Shore Canal and Côte Ste. Catherine Lock region, CCGS Judy LaMarsh has now completed her final escort of the last two ship transits.
With CCGS Des Groseilliers now guiding the last salty, Noelle G., eastbound and out of the canal, Judy LaMarsh has turned her bow westward – heading upbound to meet Captain Henry Jackman and Algoma Equinox. Together, they’ll begin a final convoy toward the Welland Canal, with an estimated arrival by Thursday, Jan. 15 no later, maybe earlier.
Once she “turns out the lights” at the canal – officially wrapping up the Seaway’s 2025 navigation season – she’ll shift her focus to the open lakes. There, she’ll join CCGS Vincent Massey in supporting icebreaking operations along the critical Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor.
[Ship Junkies – Lakes, Locks & Rivers (LL&R)]
Obituary: Capt. Tom McMullen
International Shipmasters’ Association Past Grand President Tom McMullen passed away on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 at the age of 78.
Capt. McMullen had a 40-year career upon the Great Lakes, primarily with Ford Motor Co., and more recently with Interlake Steamship Co., retiring as master of the Stewart J. Cort several years ago.
Tom had been a member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 for the past 46 years and served as Lodge President in 1992. On Feb. 11, 2011 at the Grand Lodge Convention in Downtown Detroit, he was elected Grand Lodge President.
Funeral arrangements are pending at this time
[ISMA]
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]
