Aspiring little sailors reported to the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours Saturday to learn the ropes of how to work on a Great Lakes vessel and the all-important keys to water safety.
The free event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The sailors, including their parents, had the chance to try their hand at everything from throwing a life ring and handling lines, to designing their own fleet flag and learning about the cargoes carried on the freighters.
The nautical adventure also included the chance to meet captains and crew members, and get some cute Little Sailor souvenirs.
Park rangers and volunteers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led several water safety activities for the kids and handed out water safety goody bags.
"One of the main missions for the Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers is water safety. We are trying to prevent drownings. We are running a bunch of activities here. One is called Cool Hand Luke. It's a chance for people to see what they can do in ice cold water. They have to pick up with one hand and remove little washers in the ice water for one minute to see how much harder it gets," Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs said.
Chrissy Kadleck, from Interlake Steamship Company, was on-hand to educate everyone. "We can, one-on-one, show everyone the cargo that the ships carry. They can touch and feel those and take a little bit of it home, too. It's a great way to connect with the community and meet with the little kids and maybe inspire them to be safer on the water and learn more about the Great Lakes and the Lakers," Kadleck said.
Interlake Steamship Company owns the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours.
Roger LeLeivre, author of Know Your Ships book, was also on-site giving away and signing copies of 2023 KYS books and answering any questions the little tykes, and their parents, had.
