Posted on 07/28/2022 9:15:38 AM PDT by texas booster
Nearly three years after the first cut of steel for the first Great Lakes freighter in nearly 40 years, the 639-foot M/V Mark W. Barker embarked on her maiden voyage today from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.
“This is a monumental day for our company and the US flag fleet as our much-anticipated freighter departs on her first voyage in what will be a long life of service on the Great Lakes,” says Mark W. Barker, President of The Interlake Steamship Company and namesake of the vessel – the company’s first new build since 1981. “The construction of this vessel, which was made from steel manufactured in Indiana, from iron ore delivered by vessel from Minnesota, reinforces our long-term commitment to shipping and delivering essential cargoes for our customers throughout the region.”
The M/V Mark W. Barker departed the Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin shipyard at 10:36 Eastern time for her 110-mile journey to Port Inland, Michigan where her crew of 21 professional mariners will load stone to deliver to Muskegon, Michigan. Once delivered, that stone cargo will go into ready-mix concrete production.
“This new vessel not only brings with it additional cargo carrying capacity and capabilities, it is the most versatile in our fleet and strategically sized to navigate into nearly any port on the Great Lakes,” says Brendan P. O’Connor, Vice President of Marketing and Marine Traffic. “The M/V Mark W. Barker will give us unmatched ability for cargo operations and to carry unique project cargoes because of both her square-shaped cargo hold and larger hatch openings. She truly was designed to be a vessel for the future.”
Under construction since August 2019, the M/V Mark W. Barker was built by hundreds of dedicated workers at the Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, shipyard.
“We couldn’t be prouder to add this skillfully constructed vessel to our growing Interlake fleet,” says Barker, who was at the shipyard this week to personally wish the best to the ship’s crew fitting out the new vessel. “It has been genuinely inspiring to see the dedication and workmanship from all of those involved in this multi-year project, from the design, construction, final outfitting and successful sea trials. We are thrilled to add our newest US-crewed, US-built and US-owned vessel to the Great Lakes fleet.”
But being family owned means that one can do exactly that.
As long as “Edmund” is not in the name.
Within two weeks it will be covered with Zebra Mussels.
from steel manufactured in Indiana, from iron ore delivered by vessel from Minnesota,
Thank you Donald Trump!
Waterways of the USA are one of the most important aspects of our nations economic success.
At least its still July. Better to get out before the skies of November turn gloomy...
“Fellas it’s been good to know ya!”
That actually seems to be a naming tradition on the lakes freighters.
THATS what we need here in Michgan!
This “laker” will probably be in service for at least sixty years. The lakes are fresh water so no rust and the ore boats (on the Great Lakes ships carrying bulk cargo on the lakes are called boats. Also most of the recent ships built at Sturgeon Bay have been 1000 footers-designed to clear the locks at Sault Saint Marie, MI. This ship is designed to go into smaller ports and carry cargo beside coal or iron or pellets.
As an aside the cost of shipping via water is fairly low.
When coal minning began out west, Wyoming in particular, it was less expensive to carry the coal by rail to Duluth/Superior load it into 1000 footers and deliver it to ports on the lower lakes than to ship it by rail the entire way.
Lake Gitche Gumee...
5.56mm
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down...
I think it was a victim of bad weather info.
Does anyone know where the love of God goes?
Absolutely; and there’s generally little attention paid to them. They’re very much taken for granted. Few people know that the St. Lawrence Seaway, the connection from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic, wasn’t open until the mid-50’s and it was a gargantuan engineering project to complete that link with all the earthmoving and locks.
Won’t matter as long as she doesnt dive deep and take water.
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