Sault Ste. Marie enters agreement to find dock space for cruise ships
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Sault Ste. Marie City Commission has entered an agreement with local docks to host cruise ships coming through the Soo while the Carbide Dock project is still underway.
Every year, dozens of cruise ships pass through the Soo Locks, bringing tourists directly into downtown. In the past year, the city has hosted more than 40 cruise ship visits. City officials wish to welcome even more of these ships as they have a positive impact on the downtown business community, but there is no viable city-owned dock to host the ships since the Carbide Dock was deemed unsafe for public use in 2016.
A Great Lakes Cruising Coalition report that the commission has cited in the past states that the average cruise ship carries between 140 to 210 passengers, who are likely to spend $75 to $150 in an average visit. Their spending helps support downtown businesses and restaurants.
Since the Carbide Dock reconstruction project began in 2017, the city has had to find other docks to host cruise ships. With the city expected to see an increase in cruise ship activity in the next year, the city commission decided that a more permanent solution was needed while the dock project is still underway.
“In a couple of years when the Carbide Dock is done, we won’t have these expenses anymore because we’ll be using our own property,” said city manager Brian Chapman at the commission meeting on Oct. 17. Le Sault de Sainte Marie Historical Sites, Inc. and Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours have entered into an agreement with the city to host these cruise ships at their docks going forward.
During its meeting on Sept. 19, the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission approved two more grant applications for the ongoing Carbide Dock project. In 2017, the commission approved the dock rehabilitation project. The project will make all parts of the dock usable, as currently the portions of the dock closest to the water are in too much disrepair.
The project will replace approximately 1,100 linear feet of the existing condemned dock structure to create a working waterfront. There will also be several updates to the dock, including secure storage areas, improved storm water management facilities, and a critical connection from the Easterday Avenue truck route to the riverfront.
The city has been applying for grants ever since approving the project. In 2018, the city commission estimated the city would need at least $20 million in total to complete the entire project.
Sault News
Polsteam’s bulk carrier Irma on the morning of Oct. 20 while shifting berth at Puerto Moin, Costa Rica, contacted a shoreside gantry crane with the ship’s cranes, damaging both. Reportedly gantry crane didn’t suffer serious damages and resumed operations, while two of three ship’s cranes – judging from a video – suffered serious damage. The ship was actually, brought to halt by cranes raised jibs contacting gantry crane. IRMA arrived Oct 19 from Poland. Irma is a frequent visitor to the Great Lakes.
