The Great Lakes Towing Company has two harbor tugs stationed at
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the St. Marys River, along with the outside tug MISSOURI, which is used for
both assistance in the locks and vessel escort operations on the St.
Marys River.
4-hours minimum notice is required for service at the Soo Locks is
required when placing an order for tug service.
St. Marys Falls, the rapids of St.
Marys River, are about 14 miles below the head of the river at Point
Iroquois and about 3 miles above Mission Point. The rapids are about 0.8 mile long and 0.3 mile wide, with a fall
of 18 to 24 feet depending on the varying water stages. The U.S. Government has constructed canals
and locks to overcome these rapids.
The South Canal, with a least
width of 304 feet, has a depth of 27 ½ feet in the east entrance and 28 feet in
the west entrance. MacArthur Lock, near
the lower end of the canal is 800 feet long, 80 feet wide, and has a depth of
31 feet. Poe Lock, immediately north of
MacArthur Lock, is 1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide, and has a depth of 32
feet.
The North Canal, with a least width of 282 feet, is limited by the locks to a depth of 23.1 feet. Davis Lock, north of Poe Lock, is 1,350 feet long, 80- feet wide, and has a depth of 23.1 feet. Sabin Lock, paralleling the north side of Davis Lock, has the same dimensions. Sabin Lock is not used for cargo vessel transits. Only small vessels such as tugs may transit the lock.