Boatnerd News – June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

 

Public Access Restricted for Soo Locks Engineers Day

Detroit, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the event’s federal, state, and local public safety partners are changing public access for this year’s Soo Locks Engineers Day event on June 27. 

Out of an abundance of caution, in light of uncontrollable circumstances and in order to prioritize public safety, visitor access will be limited to Canal Park. Access in and around active Soo Locks operations will not be allowed.

“We acknowledge this is disappointing and acknowledge the importance of this event to the community, which is why we coordinated closely with our public safety partners to permit the event to still take place” said Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem. “All public activities and displays will be concentrated within Canal Park which includes the observation platform to view vessels and the visitor center.”

These changes are being implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.  

The United States Coast Guard will be supporting and participating but will no longer be holding an open house for Engineers Day due to updated security protocols.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

LOW TICKET ALERT: Registration Now

Open for Annual Soo Boatnerd Cruise

Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Freighter Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River!

  • When: Friday, June 27, 6-9 pm, rain or shine
  • Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)
  • Limit: 100 passengers
  • Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage
  • General Adult Admission:

-Early Bird Adult $35.00 each (through May 31)

-Regular Adult $40.00 each (June 1-June 20)

-Procrastinator Adult $45 each (after June 20)

  • Youth Admission, age 5-17: $15 flat rate
  • Youth Admission, age 4 and under: FREE
  • Students (age 18+) with a current, valid i.d. get a $5 discount off an adult ticket. The student must present their student i.d. when boarding.

This year’s St. Mary’s River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 27. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters.

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (you cannot bring alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Mailed checks must be received no later than Friday, June 20.

If the cruise is not sold out by June 20, we will take online or cash (US funds only) reservations at the Procrastinator Price of $45.00 per General Admission ticket. Youth ticket rates stay the same as listed above.

Click link below to buy your ticket(s) online.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or to request any refunds. No refunds will be issued after June 19.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1778398666043742/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D