We had an uneventful day today. Winds remained strong for most of the night but we were secure. There was very little wind today so we motored across the lake Port Colborne, 25 miles or so. Cleared into Canada by phone while making the crossing, everything went well since we have Nexus cards.
Tied up here at Sugarloaf Marina then visited with some of the local boat owners for a bit, very nice people. We walked to to the nearest lock to check things out prior to our journey through tomorrow. There was no pleasure boat traffic at the time, just a freighter. We did watch the entire process of the boat entering the lock, the water level being brought up to the final level then the boat exiting the lock. Jeff had been through the Soo Locks on a freighter many years ago and we have subsequently watched many freighters pass through the Soo over the years… Wondering how many other people have spent so much time watching freighters pass through the locks?
Taking Echo through ourselves will be a new and intimidating experience for us, spending the evening reading over all the details in preparation for our journey.
We hope to head through tomorrow but the current forecast is for very high winds and 90% chance of rain, will check again in the morning but may have to wait till Friday when a much lighter wind is forecast.
We have a piece of equipment aboard called AIS. Standing for Automatic Identification System, it is a transponder we have that broadcasts our position to other boats so they can see us electronically, and receives broadcasts from other boats so we can see them.
Although set up as a boat to boat system, there are websites that have set up shoreside receivers that pick up ship broadcasts and make the reports available on the internet. So, if our equipment is on and there is a website shore station within about 10 miles of us, you should see Echo on screen. The Welland seems pretty well covered so you should be able to see us tomorrow (if weather is good enough for us to go). Here is a site link:
How cool! Anthony I clicked on all the boats that showed up in your area and we are fascinated by the technology. As I always said, with Jeff it’s like being in a high tech Radio Shack all the time!!! Thanks for sharing.
Eyes on ya, sounds exciting. Good luck, take your time and have fun.
That AIS is so cool! I clicked on Echo, vessel’s track, itinerary history and all around. Thanks for the site, it makes it that much more fun traveling with you! I think El Paradisio is anchored nearby tonight. Incredible safety tool, a necessity! The news said the storm is moving to the SE from here, hopefully it will miss you altogether. Good luck with the locks!
The locks seem a bit intimidating. I have been through many, the Volga River, Panama Canal, Yangtze River, Rhine, Danube, Main, but I was never the captain of the boat!! It seems like you really have to be on the top of your game because of the timing.
The internet and the GPS have become an incredible tool for boating and long distance communication. You both have been so incredibly generous in all that you do, and it is fun to live vicariously through you. Thanks so much for sharing. Most sincerely,
I use an android ap called “Marine Traffic” that gives real time AIS readouts. It’s been very helpful…when I’m in data range. Waiting for the wind to die down sounds like a good plan for the Welland. Locks are very cool to do, enjoy!
I have learned with the websites, data is only as good as receivers that the website has established. Marine Traffic has a group of receivers, Boatnerd.com has another. Also, website data is not live and can be many minutes to even hours stale. Dangerous to use the data for avoidance unless you are getting it first hand on your own AIS rig.
Is the tracking only when youre in US waters?
We can broadcast anywhere. The issue is whether or not there are any stations to listen. I don’t think there is any “official” government reporting like there is with airplanes and the F.A.A. Only private organizations that set up receivers and upload to the internet.
I was with Jeff many years ago when he “went through the Soo”. I am still feeling guilty for talking on the little plane back while my little guy had an upset stomach. Hope both your tummies are feeling fine.
I still feel guilty for puking on you 🙂