b'ida. On average it is a 6,000-mile journey that can take sixthe years, so has Lockport Locks. From a single pontoon to twelve months to complete. boat, their fleet has grown to three boats carrying 45 to 150 passengers. They also own an 1840 stone building used as a Poinan Grimes with the Colonial Belle noted that in thelearning center for youth field trips and a former steel fabri-section of the canal where they operate, they have seen newcation factory that has been transformed into an event space. buildings, businesses, and even wildlife species. Theyve also seen changes in the agency that oversees the canal, theIn Buffalo, the current dock for Grand Lady Cruises was New York State Canal Corporation. She noted that theoriginally the site of an old shipyard. In the last 15 years, entity above the corporation has shifted three times sincethe location of the old Erie Canal terminus has been rein-the Colonial Belle first launched, and each repositioning ofvigorated and turned into what Buffalonians know as Ca-leadership has brought changes throughout the canal. nalside. Venues like Buffalo RiverWorks and Terminal B on Buffalos Outer Harbor have reused old grain elevators The changes along the canal have been amazing, particu- and warehouses and turned them into event and concert larly in the Western end of the canal, noted Captain Mikevenues. The evolution of the area over the last 20 years is Murphy with Lockport Locks. He noted that boating traf- nothing short of miraculous, Deegan said. In Buffalos past fic seems to have quintupled and the old Lockport Flight ofand present, water has shaped the citys identity, fueled its Five locks is being restored. Paved hiking and cycling trailsgrowth, and been the center of the community. After going were constructed on both sides of the canal, walking andthrough a bit of a rough spell, it feels like we have gotten our sightseeing tours have been started, and his team meets trav- groove back, Deegan observed. And it seems like it all ties elers from all over the globe. As the canal has developed overback to embracing the history and legacy of the Erie Canal. YOUR PROPULSION EXPERTSmore flexibility more comfort more space SCHOTTEL EcoPeller SCORES WITH COMPACT VERSION The German propulsion expert SCHOTTEL presents a space-saving CLE installation variant of its proven EcoPeller (SRE). The space-optimized support structure, the omission of the gearbox and an integrated electric motor (LE-Drive) enable an extremely low overall height while maintaining low noise and vibration levels. This makes it ideally suitable for the passenger vessel sector.www.schottel.com35 JUNE 2025240119_AZ_Foghorn_4.625x7Zoll.indd 1 19.01.24 10:57'