Soo Locks Protocol

[Guest]

The upbound vessels also call into the Lockmaster when they are up at nine mile point. Here they give their draft and possibly their cargo if loaded and their destination. While at the Soo last summer I heard many at nine mile calling in by radio upbound. If any crew are getting off or going on, they report this at nine mile to the lockmaster as well.

The 9 mile call in is not a requirement, but most do it.

[Bookworm]

Thanks, The Schipper, tugboathunter, and Denny for that information. Go safe and stay healthy.

[Denny]

The upbound vessels also call into the Lockmaster when they are up at nine mile point. Here they give their draft and possibly their cargo if loaded and their destination. While at the Soo last summer I heard many at nine mile calling in by radio upbound. If any crew are getting off or going on, they report this at nine mile to the lockmaster as well.

[tugboathunter]

The order of lockage is determined by two radio call-in points with the Lockmaster. For downbound vessels, this is Big Point, and for upbound vessels, it is Mission Point. Normally vessels are locked through in the same order that they call in at these points, even if it means refilling a vacant lock.

[The Schipper]

They lock through in the order that they arrive and call the lock master. They can't cheat as the lock master can see the call in points from his perch.

[Bookworm]

When several vessels are waiting, both above and below, to lock through, do they alternate turns (allowing a ship to enter the lock going the opposite direction once the departing one has passed) or is another criteria in place?