Lock 44 — Lock 44 – Big Chute Marine Railway

🚨 Loading procedure applies southbound as well — follow staff instructions exactly. Southbound vessels transit the marine railway in the same manner as northbound vessels. Staff direct all loading. Follow instructions exactly and immediately. Remove all fenders before loading. Nothing may protrude below hull centerline.

⚠ Little Chute — strong current, narrow channel approaching from below. Southbound vessels arriving from Gloucester Pool must first transit Little Chute, approximately 1 mile south of the railway. The channel narrows to 50 ft (15.2 m) and carries up to 5 knots of current from the power station discharge. Transmit Securité on VHF 16 before entering Little Chute. Approach under full control.

⚠ Five overhead power cables south of Big Chute — minimum 53 ft (16.2 m) clearance. Cables cross the channel immediately south of the marine railway. Not a concern for most vessels but tall sailboat masts should verify.

• BELOW: Blue line on southwest wall below. Long floating dock near old railway — moor on outside (shore side shallow). Smaller floating dock mid-basin.
• Max mooring: 2 nights. No shore power at lock.
• Big Chute Marina (200 m): full marine services, fuel, grocery, restaurant.

🚨 This is NOT a conventional lock — full loading procedure applies. The Big Chute Marine Railway floats your vessel onto a motorized steel carriage, lifts it completely out of the water, and transports it overland on rails across the granite ridge. There is no water-filled chamber. The transit takes approximately 7 minutes. This is the only marine railway on the continent and requires specific preparation before loading.

🚨 Follow staff instructions exactly during loading. Parks Canada staff at Big Chute direct every aspect of vessel placement on the carriage. Follow their instructions immediately and precisely. Staff have full authority over the loading sequence. Do not proceed onto the carriage until directed. Do not adjust your position on the carriage without staff authorization.

🚨 Listen carefully — instructions may be given by loudspeaker. Staff communicate with all vessels in the staging area from the shore via loudspeaker. The first vessel on the blue line is not necessarily the first vessel called to load — smaller vessels may be grouped and loaded together. Monitor the loudspeaker continuously once in the staging basin. Do not assume your call order.

🚨 Remove ALL fenders before loading — without exception. Every fender must be removed from the hull sides before driving onto the carriage. Fenders left hanging will be destroyed by the carriage cradle structure and may cause damage. Remove all fenders when you arrive in the staging area, not when you are called.

🚨 Nothing protruding below hull centerline. The carriage cradle supports the vessel from beneath. Any object projecting below the hull centerline — depth sounder transducers, keel guards, stabilizer fins, trim tabs, or anything else extending beyond the keel line — will be crushed or sheared off by the carriage cradle during loading. Inspect your hull before arrival. Retract or remove all protrusions.

⚠ Vessel size limits apply. Maximum length: 30.5 m (99.2 ft). Maximum beam: 7.3 m (24 ft). Maximum draft: 1.8 m (6 ft). Maximum weight: 90 tonnes (metric). Confirm vessel dimensions with Parks Canada before arrival if near limits: (705) 756-8802.

⚠ Little Chute — strong current, narrow channel, up to 5 knots. Approximately 1 mile below the railway, Little Chute narrows to 50 ft (15.2 m) with powerful discharge from the adjacent generating station creating cross-currents. Transmit Securité on VHF 16 before entering Little Chute. Approach under full control at reduced speed.

⚠ Submerged intake crib on upper approach — stay clear of NW wall. A submerged crib extends 50 ft (15.2 m) NE from the power station water intake wall on the NW side of the upper basin. Approximately 3 ft (0.9 m) below the surface. Stay well clear when staging above.

• ABOVE: Blue line on southwest wall. Staging for northbound (downstream) transit. Overnight mooring on two floating docks above.
• Big Chute Marina (NW shore, 200 m): transient slips to 45 ft, fuel (gas only — no diesel), pump-out, propane, grocery, restaurant, repairs. VHF Ch 68.
• Max mooring: 2 nights. No shore power at lock.