St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks, Michigan; Use, Administration and Navigation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is amending its regulations on procedures to navigate the St. Marys Falls Canal and Soo Locks at Sault St. Marie, Michigan, to incorporate changes in navigation safety procedures published in three Notice to Navigation Interests issued on March 29, 2000. The St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks navigation regulation is amended to delete reference to oil tankers having draft and beam permitting transit through the Canadian lock, since the Canadian lock no longer handles oil tankers. The regulation will also prohibit the cleaning and gas freeing of tanks on all hazardous material cargo vessels while either in the lock or while in any part of the Soo Locks approach canals. As an additional vessel safety measure, whenever a tank vessel is within the limits of the lock piers either above or below the locks, vessel movement will be limited to a single vessel, unless the tanker is certified gas free or is carrying non- combustible products. The regulation will allow tankers with any type cargo to transit the MacArthur Lock when the locks park is closed, while tankers carrying non-combustible products or tankers certified gas free will be allowed to transit the MacArthur Lock when the park is open. The regulation clarifies that vessels, except U.S. vessels of war and public vessels (as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101), carrying explosives are prohibited from transiting U.S. Locks.