Original Soo Locks Boat Tours

03/15/2025

We keep looking and we keep looking and we keep looking! 6 more day before the Soo Locks Opens! When are we going to see some movement? Who's going to be first? Waiting and waiting and waiting...looking and waiting.... LOL.

03/14/2025

Thug Boats

A big thank you to Ship Junkies for today's final theme. We're sad to see the fun come to an end, but grateful to have been part of it. For this theme, here's the Anglian Lady in the MacArthur Lock, a common sight on the St. Mary's River.

Did you know the Anglian Lady was built in 1953 in Southampton, England? This tugboat is approximately 131 feet long with a beam of 30 feet and a draught of 15 feet. It has a gross tonnage of 459 and a summer deadweight of 89 tons. Currently, it sails under the flag of Canada and its home port is Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The Anglian Lady is powered by engines producing 3,500 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 13.5 knots. It has a bollard pull of 50 tons and a range of 5,000 miles. The tugboat is equipped for various marine services, including ship repair, diving, and tug & barge operations. The Anglian Lady is owned and managed by Purvis Marine, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.

03/14/2025

Join Our Team at Original Soo Locks Boat Tours!

We're hiring for the following positions:
• Captain
• Engineer - Deckhand
• Narrator - Deckhand
• Dockhand
If you're passionate about maritime adventures and want to be part of a historic and dynamic team, we want to hear from you!

About Us: Original Soo Locks Boat Tours has been providing unforgettable experiences on the Great Lakes since 1934. Join us in navigating the wonders of the Soo Locks and creating memorable journeys for our guests, making this a rewarding and fun experience for you!

Why Work With Us?
• Be part of a dedicated and friendly team.
• Enjoy the beautiful scenic St. Mary's River and the impressive history and engineering of the Soo Locks.
• Gain valuable experience in the maritime industry.
• Flexible Hours: We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible hours to accommodate your schedule.
• Career Advancement: Work towards your sea time and advance your maritime career with our comprehensive training programs. We offer support for training and testing in becoming a licensed captain, providing you with the skills and qualifications needed for higher responsibilities and leadership roles.

USCG Ruling: All positions require drug test screening.

Career Opportunities with Interlake Steamship Company: As part of the Interlake Steamship Company family, there may be opportunities to advance your career and work towards positions such as Able Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Third Mate, and more.

How to Apply: Visit our ADP Recruitment Page to view job descriptions and apply online. https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=85105d21-298e-4548-924a-61f5e162090e&ccId=9200476159985_2&lang=en_US

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
(906) 632-6301

03/13/2025

Not again! Hold onto your hats, folks! We've got EXCLUSIVE footage of Captain Seward in a WILD chase! He's on a mission to usher in spring by... chasing a YETI off one of our tour boats! 😱 Yep, you read that right. With the Soo Locks officially opening on March 21st (just 8 days to go!), Captain Seward is doing a little spring cleaning of his own! The Yeti's putting up a good fight, but our captain is determined! The chase is on! 🤣😅😁

03/13/2025

Yea!! We are very excited about this! :-)

🎙 News Release: Soo Locks to open early for 2025 shipping season

📆 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District will open the Poe Lock, part of the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan early to all marine traffic at 8 a.m. on March 21, marking the start of the 2025 Great Lakes shipping season.

🛳 The shipping industry requested an early season opening based on the understanding that “the 2025 winter lock maintenance will be completed by this date and an early opening will not impact U.S. Army Corps operations this season,” said Lake Carriers’ Association President James Weakley.

“Opening the Soo Locks on March 21 will provide relief to the increased pressure that the Great Lakes Navigation System will face with the influx of foreign vessels including the Canadian domestic fleet on March 22 when the Seaway opens,” said Weakley.

“Our winter maintenance period is a critical time for us to execute strategic asset renewal investments in our aging locks,” Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem said. “This year, a number of factors worked in our favor that allowed us to safely deliver this critical maintenance and also open to navigation traffic a few days early.”

Read the full release at: https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/News/News-Releases/Display/Article/4118858/soo-locks-to-open-early-for-2025-shipping-season/

03/13/2025

Here we go! Spring just got a little closer! :-)

We are sorry for the late notice, but sometimes approvals within the Army take a while!

We will be updating the event information shortly.

03/13/2025

🌊 Rivers 🌊

A big thank you to Ship Junkies for today's theme! Enjoy these beautiful views from our very own St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie. 🌅🚢

03/12/2025

Yeti's winter shift has ended! Even he is reveling in the sunshine! ☀️ It's time for him to return to his northern habitat and allow spring to arrive, but it appears he is becoming too comfortable. What are we going to do with this furry snow-slacker?

#

03/12/2025

Warship Wednesday! 🚢

Thank you, Ship Junkies, for today's theme! It was a bit of a challenge since we don't get many warships in the area, besides the Lee A. Tregurtha, which is always a treat to see. However, back on May 25, 2022, we had a special visitor – the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS-21) sailed through the Soo Locks.

The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. It was commissioned on May 21, 2022, and is known for its impressive speed and versatility. The ship is 387 feet long, with a beam of 58 feet, and can reach speeds of over 45 knots. It is equipped with advanced weaponry, including a 57 mm gun and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and can carry two MH-60R/S Seahawks and an MQ-8 Fire Scout. The ship was built by Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin1.

Here are a couple of pictures taken from our dock. 📸

03/12/2025

Isn't she looking pretty! Can't wait to see her here on the St.Mary's River! 13 more days to go before the Soo Locks opens! :-)

03/11/2025

Check out this stunning photo captured from the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours, showcasing the 1000-footer Edwin H. Gott entering the Poe Lock here in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The Soo Locks are a marvel of engineering and seeing such a massive freighter navigate through them is truly a sight to behold. The Edwin H. Gott, one of many 1000-footers on the Great Lakes, is a testament to the incredible feats of maritime engineering and the vital role these freighters play in our economy. The Original Soo locks Boat Tours are one of the best ways to see the Soo Locks and these massive freighters up-close and personal. :-)

03/11/2025

This sounds like it will be a lot of fun! Spring is getting closer! :-)

2 weeks til the Soo Locks open! 🚢⚓️ Mark your calendars for April 26th, our annual Freighter Fun Day w/author of Know Your Ships Roger LeLievre and joining us for the 1st time this is DRE Designs - Great Lakes Marine Products!

03/11/2025

Thank you, Ship Junkies, for today's themes: Locks & Cement Boats. Since there was a bit of a mix-up with today's theme, we're giving you the all-in-one special! 🎉 Presenting the Alpena making a grand entrance into the MacArthur Lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Enjoy the show!

03/11/2025

🔒 Locked in History with the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours 🌊

Today’s Ship Junkies theme is all about Locks, and here at the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours, we know this topic like the back of our hand!

Feast your eyes on this stunning shot of our tour boat, the Holiday, resting in the MacArthur Lock. what an incredible reflection captured off the Observation Stand—it’s a perfect blend of engineering marvel, history, and natural beauty, with a tour through the Soo Locks. 📸✨

Since 1934, we’ve been sharing the magic of these historic locks with visitors worldwide. From the heart of maritime history to unforgettable views, there’s always something awe-inspiring to experience with us. Come join us this season we would love to have you on board! Want to see how much fun we have, check out our photo gallery here: https://www.originalsoolocktours.com/gallery/

Michigan's Upper Peninsula

03/10/2025

🌊 Sail-a-brate with the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours! 🚢

Today’s theme from Ship Junkies is all about celebrating the spirit of sailing, and we couldn’t resist sharing this stunning photo of the Tall Ships Privateer Lynx and Pride of Baltimore gracefully making their way up the St. Mary’s River. 🌟

These majestic vessels are a testament to maritime history, and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll see them sailing by again this year heading up to the 2025 Tall Ship Challenge in Duluth, happening July 10th-13th! 🎉 Who knows maybe we'll get a chance to lock-up with one of them! :-)

Join us as we continue to honor the legacy of sailing and the beauty of the Great Lakes. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours—your gateway to maritime adventures since 1934! ⚓ Here is a link for more info on the 2025 Tall Ship Challenge: https://www.lakesuperiortallships.org/calendar/tall-ships-challenge-2025-great-lakes

03/08/2025

Soo Locks opening early? I guess we will have to wait and see! Thank you Soo Locks Visitors Center Association sharing this info!

We are as excited as everyone else about the start of the shipping season. There are reports that the locks are opening early, however we understand that this has not been approved within the Corps of Engineers yet.