During the shipping season, more than 2,000 pleasure craft of all kinds pass through the Seaway. Pleasure craft are welcome, but they must be at least 6 M (20 ft.) in length and weigh over 900 kg (one ton). There are special docks and tie-up areas along the seaway for pleasure boaters, equipped with telephones, and Seaway staff will help with the tie-up in the lock chambers.
Because the Seaway was made for large cargo ships, small pleasure craft will often be asked to wait while the commercial vessels pass through the locks.
Note that cash payment is no longer accepted at the Canadian locks; payment only via PayPal, Secunik or by purchasing a ticket at the dispenser.