Masterclass in Ship Handling: John D. Leitch Entering Lock 1

Beauty or the Beast? A ship frozen in time?, you decide. Experience a masterclass in Great Lakes ship handling! The video kicks off at Lock 1 of the Welland Canal, where the 730-foot John D. Leitch makes an incredibly confident, high-speed approach. It’s not often you see a vessel of this size slide into the concrete with such precision and momentum, a clear sign of a captain and crew who know these waters inside and out. After successfully "threading the needle" into Lock 1, we follow the Leitch as she continues her trek south, passing directly under the massive Garden City Skyway. We wrap up the chase as she glides past the Homer Bridge, showcasing the unique bow design that makes this self-unloader so recognizable on the lakes. Name: John D. Leitch Type: Self-Unloading Bulk Carrier Length: 222.5 meters (730 ft) Unique Feature: Notable "square" bow design optimized for maximum capacity. In this video: 01:25 - High-Speed Approach to Lock 1 03:40 - Entering the Lock (Elite Piloting) 08.35 - Transit under the Garden City Skyway 12:30 - Passing the Homer Bridge If you enjoyed watching this masterclass in navigation, don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more maritime action from the Welland Canal! #JohnDLeitch #WellandCanal #ShipWatching #GreatLakes #ElitePiloting #StCatharines #Maritime