Wait ends for several upbound vessels, however ice causes more problems Tuesday
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – More favorable winds eased ice pressure in Whitefish Bay Tuesday morning, allowing Arthur M. Anderson, John G. Munson, Captain Henry Jackman, American Mariner, Michipcoten and Presque Isle to get underway. USCG cutter Mackinaw and the CCGS cutter Griffon assisted the vessels, which ran into more heavy ice at Whitefish Point.
Oakglen, Algoma Conveyor and John J Boland were upbound Tuesday, however Oakglen became stuck departing the lock in the late afternoon, which brought the other upbound traffic to a stop. CCGS Griffon got her moving in the evening, and she went to anchor for the night near Gros Cap. The Boland also indicated to Soo Traffic she planed to anchor just west of Gros Cap as well.
The downbound Burns Harbor and American Century were having difficulty near Whitefish Point Tuesday, and eventually stopped for the night.
USCG Spar, which was assisting upbound traffic Monday night, resumed her trip to Duluth Tuesday morning.
Another storm system moving in early Wednesday is expected to bring more strong winds and a mix of rain and snow.
Chestnut opens Toronto port for the season
Toronto, ON – Canfornav’s M/V Chestnut, in command of Captain Dorde Perovic and his crew, was awarded this year’s Beaver Hat while alongside Redpath Sugar, Toronto. The 161-year-old tradition celebrates the official opening of the commercial shipping season by ‘crowning’ the first ocean-going ship to arrive PortsToronto with the antique top hat.
Canfornav
Engineer’s Day 2022 will allow public across Soo Locks
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers announced Monday that for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors will be allowed across the Soo Locks for this year’s Engineer’s Day.
The Soo Locks have hosted Engineer’s Day since 1975. Engineer’s Day is traditionally held the last Friday in June to honor the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ June 16, 1775 birthday.
Officials say visitors are welcome into the Soo Locks facility and across the locks from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 24.
“Visitors are welcome to cross the gates, but the buildings will remain closed,” said Area Engineer Kevin Sprague.
According to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, visitors will also be welcomed into the Soo Locks complex, the Soo Locks Canal Park, viewing platform and Visitors Center. All will open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is also closing a portion of Portage Avenue to focus on downtown city merchants and vendors. Officials say Downtown Portage Avenue will close to vehicle traffic and open for pedestrians and vendors on Ferris Street to Osborn Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 24.
Moreover, Engineer’s Day 2022 will bring back some traditional partner events such as the United States Coast Guard open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Craft Show at the City Hall grounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the new Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24.
“The Soo Locks are so important to our history and our community, this annual event helps us celebrate that,” said Linda Hoath, director of the Sault Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Last year we closed the street and had great success, we look forward to combining the street closure with the locks being opened to the public.”
