The Soo Locks - Locking Through in a Small Boat

[@RustyorBroken]

When I was but a pup we went through the locks in a 14' aluminum fishing boat with a 40 horse Evinrude. I don't remember those fancy vertical cables along the lock walls. Our trip up to Superior took us through the U.S. side. We put in at a boat launch just downstream of the locks. At the time there was a small shack right next to the canal before you got to the lock. A guy came out and we pulled along side. If my memory serves he told us that as long as you're a legal motored craft they cannot deny you passage. Also, passage was free iirc. They can ask (tell) you to wait if another boat is soon to arrive, however. He gave us some instructions which included a strong warning not to spend too much time on the Superior side because storms can develop quickly. We pulled into the lock and a guy tossed a line down. My job was to hang onto the line so we didn't float away. We were the only vessel in the massive lock. Our return route back down went through the smaller side (Canadian I think) and shared that lock with a pleasure craft.

[@jimsteele9261]

I once saw one of those tiny two man sail boats go thru the US lock. (Back in the 70s) It looked like a rubber duck in a bathtub. 🙂

[@TenorMichaelK]

We're headed this way in a couple of weeks from Lake Erie. It was great to get a visual of the lock and a better sense of how to navigate it. And thanks for the history!!

[@RestlessViking]

Excellent. I hope you have a great trip!

[@Kiirs5]

Very cool video! I especially liked the bits of history you shared

[@Erth]

Excellent video! Thanks 🙏🏼 for the tour. It looks mighty beautiful 😻 countryside.

[@MilitaryMarvel1939]

Looks like you spent quite a bit of time in SSM recently. I’ll keep my eye out for Thor.

[@anthonygiglio9860]

Great Video 😊

[@kerryseabrook2438]

good job

[@92xsaabaru-]

How were the river currents on the Superior side? I'm hoping to take a day sailer through when there's a SE wind to counteract the river if the currents aren't too strong. Definitely planning on dropping sail and paddling through the wind tunnel of the lock.

[@RestlessViking]

Superior side doesn't have a lot of current, except for the north side of the canal on the west end where the powerplant inlet is. It will be buoyed and netted and has a pretty strong current.

[@92xsaabaru-]

@@RestlessViking and that's the US Cloverland canal, right? I was planning on sailing as far upstream in Ashmun bay before crossing the river.

[@RestlessViking]

@@92xsaabaru- The Cloverland Canal is on the US Side. This is the Canadian Canal that leads to the Clergue Hydro Plant. It is just before the Canadian lock canal on the northside. You can see the pilings and nets on google sat view. www.google.com/maps/@46.5133534,-84.3578984,1445m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

[@RestlessViking]

It isn't bad unless you get right next to the nets. When I kayak through, I just hug the south side pier.

[@92xsaabaru-]

@@RestlessViking Ah. Good to know. Depending on wind direction I would have tacked over to that side.

[@OneclickOutside]

Thanks for the info! I’ll be passing thru by kayak and wasn’t sure how this all worked.

[@RestlessViking]

Kayaking is pretty straight forward. The Canadian side gets a fair amount of kayak traffic. Bring a little length of rope. Sometimes, they get a little testy if you don't have a piece of rope to wrap around the hold cables. They don't want anyone holding it barehanded. If you don't have a radio, you can wait for the green light in the hold zone.

[@OneclickOutside]

@@RestlessViking awesome! Thanks. I always have some rope attached. I’ll have my radio with me too.

[@TW14137]

I live in the US and have a recreational MMSI number. It prohibits communicating with foreign ports. Do you know if that comes into play using your radio while going through the Canadian lock or being on the Canadian side of the river? Thanks for posting, interesting to see the experience.

[@RestlessViking]

It wasn’t issued by the FCC? It is my understanding that the locks aren’t a port, but rather vessel traffic service. I don’t know for sure, but the MMSI Rule is for foreign ports outside the US “OR” Canada. But I’m not completely sure on that. It is an international transit area, so most entry rules don’t apply. I don’t think that is much help.

[@TW14137]

@@RestlessViking Not issued by the FCC directly. Issued through Boat US, and does not include the Ship Station License, just the MMSI number. This is on the criteria list. "Do not communicate with or visit foreign ports. (i.e. Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean)" "BoatUS has been authorized by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to assign MMSI numbers to vessels with DSC capable radios that are not required by law to carry a radio, and do not make international voyages or communications. BoatUS is responsible for relaying the MMSI registration information to the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue purposes." I fish the St. Mary's and just was curious if you knew the requirements for radio use when in the International waters.

[@MrEveready299]

Do you need a passport or to notify Canadian immigration for passing through and I guess covid didn't have anything to do with it.

[@RestlessViking]

You do not need to notify customs or immigration as it is an international pass through area. You can't land anywhere at the locks and must stay in your watercraft. If you do land on foreign soil after you pass through the locks, you will have to notify the proper border agency.