Meet the Fleet
Meeting the Challenge: The St. Mary’s Challenger
One ship has met the challenge of transporting bulk commodities to help build the economy of the United States for over 100 years. The bulk cement barge known today as... Read More
Alpena: Classic Laker 80 Years Young
In mid-March, the cement carrier Alpena departed her winter lay up dock in Cleveland sporting a fresh coat of paint from her five year inspection at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding at... Read More
Herbert C. Jackson: Small but Powerful Contributor to Interlake’s Fleet
Although the smallest boat in the Interlake Steamship Company fleet, at 690 feet, Herbert C. Jackson is an active and important contributor. The Jackson has carried a wide variety of... Read More
Change Is the Only Constant: Adapting to the Ever-Changing Demands of Industry
There are many things in which change is the only constant, and this has been the case for the barge Commander through her 65-year career. She has been rebuilt time... Read More
Still Getting It Done: Unique American Republic Works Through Turning 40
Boatnerds in the Lorain and Cleveland area in the 1980s and 1990s could count on a sighting of the American Republic on the ore shuttle between Republic Steels Lorain Pellet... Read More
Ryan McDonough: Sailing Up the Career Ladder With Grand River
Ryan McDonough, 30, banked his future on a career as a Great Lakes mariner and finds it’s an ideal choice. The merchant marine industry is where good pay, travel, time... Read More
In Focus: The Final ‘Sail’ — Mississagi towed to Canadian scrapyard
Most of what’s left from the World War II era is found in the history books or in the memories of senior soldiers and their families. In October, the Mississagi... Read More
Arctic Sailing
“Near the top of the world, there’s a place so remote that only the toughest dare stay. To live in the Arctic you must be resilient, resourceful and willing to... Read More
Canadian Ballast Regs Under Fire: Domestic Fleets Point Out Competitive Disadvantages, Impact on Post-pandemic Recovery
Ballast Water Regulations released by Transport Canada (TC) in June continue to make waves. The new law applies to vessels operating in Canadian waters and Canadian-flagged vessels trading anywhere in... Read More
In Short: News from July–September 2021
Senate Passes Historic Infrastructure Package On August 10, the U.S. Senate enacted an infrastructure investment package totaling nearly $1.2 trillion. H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was negotiated... Read More
In Focus: New Interlake Vessel Takes Shape
M/V Mark W. Barker has a bow. The ship’s construction is in full gear at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The hull of the 639-foot vessel is complete... Read More