Boatnerd Discussion Forum

[quote="Geysir"]Let's say a big ore freighter is heading up Lake Huron on its way to load taconite at Escanaba on Lake Michigan. Before going through the Straits of Mackinac would the ship go south of Bois Blanc Island or would it go around the northern side?

Looking at a chart, going around the southern side appears shorter but more dangerous.[/quote]
Actually the South Channel is a not as dangerous as it might seem. It's narrowest portion is at Poe Reef where the channel is 2.5 miles wide and it narrows again at 14ft Shoal but apart from that it is much wider and has fairly deep water throughout. Security calls are given at strategic points starting at Cordwood Point going north and again at Poe Reef and the Traffic Buoy which is just NW of Cheboygan and this provides a good traffic awareness to anyone transiting the South Channel. Over the past 100 years there have been very few collisions in the South Channel and almost all that have taken place have been at the western end where the Round Island Passage courses and the South Channel converge.

Naturally, the reverse is: Lake Michigan to the Lower Lakes - South Channel and Lake Michigan to Lake Superior - Round Island Passage. Except as noted at this time of year when the South Channel is closed to navigation.

Huron to Michigan Westbound, most ships will run South of Bois Blanc Island. The passage to the north is typically used by ships passing to or from Lake Michigan to DeTour Passage

They would use the South Channel - between Bois Blanc and Cheboygan. No more dangerous than Round Island Passage and much faster.

Generally, the boats will go to the south of the island, except at this time of year when that south channel is closed to navigaiton - there is actually an ice bridge between Cheboygan and the island

Let's say a big ore freighter is heading up Lake Huron on its way to load taconite at Escanaba on Lake Michigan. Before going through the Straits of Mackinac would the ship go south of Bois Blanc Island or would it go around the northern side?

Looking at a chart, going around the southern side appears shorter but more dangerous.