SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — The 2025 Great Lakes shipping season is underway, with the first ship passing through the Soo Locks Friday.
A hundred people watched the tug-barge combo, The Clyde S. Vanenkevort and Erie Trader, use the Poe Lock to continue to Duluth, Minnesota at 8 a.m. Friday morning.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Soo Locks Park and viewing platform at 7:30 for so-called “boat nerds” to take part in this yearly ritual.
The locks were originally scheduled to open on March 25, but the shipping industry requested opening a few days early.
“Watching them open the locks for the first time, when that gate goes up, it’s exciting. It’s the end of winter, the beginning of spring, like we love it. Boat nerds are our kind of people. They are the best,” said Myra Decaire, who attended the opening.
The Clyde’s sister ships, Joyce and Dirk, were second and third in line Friday morning on their way to western Lake Superior.