The Soo Locks have had plenty of boats going through lately, all trying to get their loads delivered and/or picked up before the locks close for the shipping season in January. Thanks to Andrea Guerriero over at DRE Designs – Great Lakes Marine Products and the mosquito (her drone), we get some bird’s eye views of the FWN Atlantide Salty, the FWN Sky Salty and the American Integrity Freighter on the move. All cruising along on the St. Mary’s River upbound to go through the locks.

The Atlantide in the first two photos, was bound for Duluth carrying bagged quartz from Gulluk, Turkey.
The Sky in the next two photos, had Captain Treece aboard as the Pilot with the assignment of bringing her up the St. Mary’s River and through the locks. He is typically a Lakes Pilot but had this River Pilot assignment to get the Sky through the locks and safely on her way.

The bottom photo and the video are both of the American Integrity, which was Andrea’s reason for being there near St. Joseph Island that day. The two salties were bonus captures! The Integrity was headed for Two Harbors to load ore, with Captain Boyd at the helm. He took her through the turn at Johnson’s Point at Middle Neebish easily. Andrea said these large freighters do not use their thrusters on the St. Mary’s River, as it is wide enough for them to make the turn by speeding up into the turn, full rudder to port, so their stern swings around as they move forward. It’s a precise maneuver, because if not done properly, they can drift out of the shipping channel and hit bottom. Winds and currents all have to be factored in, so these Captains need to know their stuff. In the video, after the turn, Captain Boyd came out to wave, as he knew Andrea was going to be there. Then they were on their way to Two Harbors.

It's always exciting to see these freighters. Great
shots!

John Deere green! And how awesome to have the
Captain step out to greet you!

Hi
I really liked the video. It made me wonder, though,
what the sailors wear when they have to work on the
deck. It would kinda like always being in
hypothermia weather.

Colorful freighters!
They look like they
should be carrying
Jolly Rancher fruit
flavored candies.
And the video was
like threading a needle.
Thank you, Andrea!!!

Fantastic pics & video!! Kathryn, I was kind of
wondering the same thing, as well as... Is the
crew working all the time even when they're at
sea?

Are we sure the ship from Turkey was just hauling
Quartz??? :=)) No mention of what the Sky was
hauling, hmmmm, better call Pete just to make
sure, could be coming in doing an "end around"
from the Northern direction!!?? ;=) lol... JK

I think when they're passing thru the Locks, they
should be playing over the 50,000 watts of power
the Star-Spangled Banner & Oh Canada National
Anthems with Dan Vasc on vocals!! Followed up by
the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar's, I can't drive 55!!

I know, UC... what are ya nutz!! I guess so. Two
big appointments next week and then the
comparisons from October's numbers and a plan
moving forward to take care of this Mitral Valve
and possibly the Aortic Valve, which is also
leaking. I just want to get it all over with...
don't they know I have to be in the Yoop by Spring
causing trouble with Deb/Ron & Mary/Jim!! lol

Nice job Andrea, we love the Freighter's!!

Christmas is coming, is everybody ready!!??

UC, I hope you get good outcomes with your medical
team.

Nice idea with playing both national anthems, like
at a hockey game. I also used to hear both at
summer concerts in Mackinaw City. At the time, the
Straits Area Concert Band had some members from
the Soo, and also we weren't that far from Canada
in the grand scheme of things.

I'm emotionally ready for Christmas, instead of
snarling (in stores or at the TV) "We just
finished Halloween" or "Hello! Thanksgiving is
next".