Canadian boating

[Phasma]

I am interested in doing the loop. My question is about the Welland Canal from Erie to Ontario. The canal is squarely in Canadian territory. Will I need a passport to traverse the Welland? The boat I would be on isn’t able to clear the western Erie canal. I would have to go around to the oswego. My brother is going with me. He had a small legal indiscretion about 8 years ago and isn’t welcome in Canada. If he stayed on the boat for the entire trip would he be considered In-Transit?

Thanks in advance

 

[northern]

Call CDN customs and ask they have a number for boaters.

 

[GypsmJim]

I don't get the Oswego comment because it connects with the Western Erie Canal anyway.

Yes, you would need a passport, or a new NY enhanced Drivers licence. Don't know about MI licence - ask the Ontario authorities.

Leave the brother at home unless you can store him in the bilge somewhere. Since you would have to declare him as a passenger, if / when they check his credentials you all would probably end up in big trouble.

Be sure to fly a US Flag, not an Ensign. Maintain all speed limits religiously. Check with the Welland authorities as they have specific size limits. And if you pass muster, expect to have many long waits as commercial traffic takes precedence.

Been here done that.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Your brother must get his record expunged.... In my county the prosecutor that prosecuted me helped me get my record expunged. Microphone drop.

 

[LakerLife]

Related question... are American pleasure craft even permitted to transit the Welland Canal at the moment? Or is it "non essential?" I'm interested in a boat on Lake Ontario (in NY), but I don't know how to get it to West Michigan.

 

[Stee6043]

Related question... are American pleasure craft even permitted to transit the Welland Canal at the moment? Or is it "non essential?" I'm interested in a boat on Lake Ontario (in NY), but I don't know how to get it to West Michigan.

What kind of boat are you looking at? At that distance hauling the boat would likely be dramatically cheaper than driving it on her own bottom all the way around the mitten. That's a whole lotta fuel.

 

[my3sons]

Related question... are American pleasure craft even permitted to transit the Welland Canal at the moment? Or is it "non essential?" I'm interested in a boat on Lake Ontario (in NY), but I don't know how to get it to West Michigan.

Yes, as of June 15th, pleasure craft can transit the Welland. A 460da left our dock for Rochester last week.
As far as I know, you have to go through the canal and not stop at either end as there is still no non essential travel to Canada until at least the end of July.

 

[LakerLife]

What kind of boat are you looking at? At that distance hauling the boat would likely be dramatically cheaper than driving it on her own bottom all the way around the mitten. That's a whole lotta fuel.

Has a flybridge. 36/39 sedan bridge with diesels.

 

[jgoedd99]

Yes, as of June 15th, pleasure craft can transit the Welland. A 460da left our dock for Rochester last week.
As far as I know, you have to go through the canal and not stop at either end as there is still no non essential travel to Canada until at least the end of July.

We have 2 large yachts (58 Vicem, ~50 Hatteras) that were recently purchased in the great lakes that are transiting to the East Coast via the Welland Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway that are parked at our marina in North Tonawanda waiting for the Welland Canal to open. We were told that they are waiting for the canal to open to recreational traffic from the US; and will be at our marina until that occurs. Seems to match what i read on a St Catherines website related to the closing of the welland canal to rec boaters from US.
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca...ontreal section of the waterway opens April 1.

 

[my3sons]

We have 2 large yachts (58 Vicem, ~50 Hatteras) that were recently purchased in the great lakes that are transiting to the East Coast via the Welland Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway that are parked at our marina in North Tonawanda waiting for the Welland Canal to open. We were told that they are waiting for the canal to open to recreational traffic from the US; and will be at our marina until that occurs. Seems to match what i read on a St Catherines website related to the closing of the welland canal to rec boaters from US.
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/03/27/pleasure-craft-traffic-suspended-in-st-lawrence-seaway-locks.html#:~:text=Pleasure craft traffic on the,The St.&text=The Lake Ontario-Montreal section of the waterway opens April 1.

I saw a very nice Vicem Classic at the Erie Basin Marina a few weeks ago that I thought was most likely waiting for lockage. She was hailing from Charlevoix MI.
The owners should give the Canal a call and see what the hold up is. I know the 460 that left last week didn't come back to say he wasn't allowed through.
https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/recreational-boating/lockage-schedule/#wellandcanal

https://greatlakes-seaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pcb_wel200611_en.pdf

 

[jgoedd99]

I saw a very nice Vicem Classic at the Erie Basin Marina a few weeks ago that I thought was most likely waiting for lockage. She was hailing from Charlevoix MI.
The owners should give the Canal a call and see what the hold up is. I know the 460 that left last week didn't come back to say he wasn't allowed through.
https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/recreational-boating/lockage-schedule/#wellandcanal

https://greatlakes-seaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pcb_wel200611_en.pdf

That very nice Vicem is parked right in front of my now, rather puny, 370 DA at Smith Boys! I printed out the link you shared and will share it with the owner and his crew. It is a beautiful boat, but I would prefer the "water view" we usually have. Thanks!

 

[jgoedd99]

That very nice Vicem is parked right in front of my now, rather puny, 370 DA at Smith Boys! I printed out the link you shared and will share it with the owner and his crew. It is a beautiful boat, but I would prefer the "water view" we usually have. Thanks!

Looking a little deeper, I think the issue is whether you are a Canadian registered vessel or not (The Welland Canal is all in Canada) . It looks like the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway are open, but Ports of Entry are closed to "non-essential vessels. From the website:

https://www.covid19superyachts.com/

it says the following restrictions:

CANADA – Les – Premier Marine Services (E. Coast) and Jaime (W.Coast) – NorthwestYacht Support
16/06/2020 Canadian Ports of Entry remain closed to non-essential vessels and crew. Current border restrictions Land, Sea and Air extended to 21 July.
Foreign flagged vessels (crew only, no passengers) requesting entry into Canada, for purposes of repair or repositioning, may be allowed entry subject to approval of the local CBSA offices.

 

[Steve S]

I am interested in doing the loop. My question is about the Welland Canal from Erie to Ontario. The canal is squarely in Canadian territory. Will I need a passport to traverse the Welland? The boat I would be on isn’t able to clear the western Erie canal. I would have to go around to the oswego. My brother is going with me. He had a small legal indiscretion about 8 years ago and isn’t welcome in Canada. If he stayed on the boat for the entire trip would he be considered In-Transit?

Thanks in advance

Phasma,

I would add that you should join the AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruiser Association) at www.greatloop.org. Has a ton of info on the loop and many resources. I am a "Harbor Host" for anyone that stops at Winthrop Harbor while on the Loop. Well worth the investment.

Steve