Soo Linehandling

building our reputation for more than a century…line by line

Soo Linehandling Services, Inc. provides linehandling assistance to vessels transiting the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the St. Mary’s River, the only water connection between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes.  The Company provides trained and fully equipped linehandlers to meet vessel and Lockmaster requirements for a vessel’s safe transit though the Locks. Oftentimes, linehandling services are ordered and coordinated with requirements for tugboat assistance provided by Group affiliate, The Great Lakes Towing Company. Vessels equipped with bow thrusters and friction winches require two (2) linehandlers on the piers under normal weather conditions and three (3) under severe weather conditions. If a vessel is experiencing mechanical problems or extreme severe weather situations, the Lockmaster may require four (4) linehandlers on the pier for a vessel’s transit.  Visit the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center’s webcams for live views of linehandlers and tugs assisting vessels in their transit through the locks and on the river.