By Tom Wenstadt
The bulk carrier, M/V MARK W. BARKER, was launched Thursday, October 28, at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding yard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. It is the first U. S. flagged Great Lakes bulk carrier built since 1981.
The vessel is 639 feet long, 78 feet wide, 45 feet high and has a dead weight tonnage of 28,000 tons. Power comes from two EMD 645-V20 diesel engines turning a single controllable pitch propeller. The vessel has both a bow and a stern thruster.
It was a comfortable fall day when the group of around 400 people gathered next to the graving dock. Many were treated to an extensive tour of the interior of the ship. Ironically, my group’s tour guide was none other than Mark W. Barker himself.
Starting in the three story engine room, we were shown the massive complex machinery used to run the vessel. After descending to the bottom of the ship we found ourselves in the cargo hold. It is nearly big enough to play two football games end to end. Mark explained the unique self- unloading system that allows the vessel to carry more cargo and unload it in less time. We then walked all the way to the bow of the boat where we climbed up onto the foredeck while viewing the cargo elevator from inside and out. This gave us a close view of the self-unloading boom. After passing the launch party stand, we descended stairs and returned to the aft gangway. We climbed back into the aft deck house were we ascended through the accommodation decks, then up to the pilot house. The view from the pilot house was spectacular.
Everyone gathered on the dock affording a good view of the launch party on the port forward deck rail. Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Vice-President & General Manager Todd Thayse opened the ceremony, greeting the crowd, welcoming everyone to the yard and to the event.
James R. Barker, Chairman of the vessel owner Interlake Steamship Company, spoke of the numerous projects that Bay Shipbuilding has done for Interlake over many years. Barker acknowledged Ian Sharp, Director of Fleet Projects, for his contribution toward this project.
Mark W. Barker, our tour guide, told the story about the vessel’s project code name “Ketchup”. The name was chosen because they were determined to catch up to their customer’s needs.
Father Anthony Birdsall gave the invocation and wished all who sailed on the vessel safe travels.
Helen Sharp, wife of Ian Sharp, did the honors by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne over the bow of the ship. The Sarter tugs subsequently blew their horns followed by blasts from the MARK W. BARKER itself. Thayse closed the ceremony by thanking the audience for coming and directed that the flood gates be opened to begin the floating of the vessel. The water could be seen spewing from the valves and flowing along the floor of the 1140 foot long graving dock.
Four hours later, the dry dock was full of water and the dock doors were opened. Four Starter tugs pulled the vessel out of the dock and towed it to a nearby storage/work dock.
The MARK W. BARKER is expected to leave for its home port of Cleveland, Ohio, in June 2022.
————————————————
Tom Wenstadt, who lives in Sturgeon Bay, is a retired marine engineer, having worked in the Great Lakes area for thirty-seven years. He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and is the author of Freighters of Manitowoc. He is a member of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society. He is a volunteer archival assistant and docent for the JOHN PURVES.
Photo at top of page
Tom Wenstadt at the launching of the MARK W. BARKER, October 28, 2021. Photo credit: Tom Wenstadt.
Other photos
