Reviews & Ratings for the James-R-Barker

As the Great Lakes shipping season approached its scheduled close on January 15, 2018, an unusual cold snap accelerated ice formation on Lake Erie. To combat the rapidly developing ice conditions, the U.S. Coast Guard dispatched its 140-foot ice-breaking tugs, 'Neah Bay' and 'Morro Bay,' to assist vessels in distress on January 3 and 4. The swift action was crucial as several ships found themselves trapped in frozen waters both in western Lake Erie and along the St. Clair River due to the intense cold. The 'John J. Boland' became immobilized in ice on January 1 and was successfully freed by the 'Morro Bay' at approximately 8:45 a.m. on January 3. Similarly, the 'Indiana Harbor' ran aground in the Middle Channel of the St. Clair River on January 2 but was released by 'Neah Bay.' The conditions also ensnared the 'Hon. Paul J. Martin' in western Lake Erie on the same day, with 'Morro Bay' coming to its rescue. Lastly, the 'James R. Barker,' which encountered its own ice troubles on January 2, was initially released by the tug 'Calusa Coast,' only to find itself trapped again before being freed once more by the 'Morro Bay.' This event highlights the ongoing challenges of ice navigation during the Great Lakes shipping season, underscoring the vital role of the Coast Guard in ensuring maritime safety during extreme weather conditions.

In a remarkable display of international cooperation, the U.S. Coast Guard joined forces with Canadian authorities to facilitate the medical evacuation of a 53-year-old man from the vessel 'James A. Barker' in northern Lake Superior on November 16, 2017. The incident unfolded around 4:15 a.m. when the vessel's crew reached out for assistance, reporting that one of their members was experiencing urgent medical issues and required immediate transport to a trauma center. The situation was promptly assessed, leading the U.S. Coast Guard flight surgeon to recommend evacuation. Given that the 'James A. Barker' was in Canadian waters at the time, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton took charge of the operation and promptly sought air support from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City in Michigan. In response, a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched, successfully coordinating with the 'James A. Barker.' Coast Guard personnel hoisted the affected crew member aboard and flew him to Marathon, Ontario. Once on solid ground, local emergency medical services (EMS) transported him to a medical facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, for further treatment.

On Sunday, June 12, the M/V James R. Barker departed from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, marking a significant milestone for Interlake Steamship Company. This vessel is not only Interlake’s first 1,000-footer but also its second self-unloading bulk carrier to be equipped with advanced exhaust gas scrubbers. Interlake made history in April 2015 as the first U.S.-flag fleet to pilot scrubbers on the Great Lakes with its M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar. Interlake's commitment to environmental responsibility is evidenced by its dedication to innovative technology. "Implementing this state-of-the-art scrubber system on our 1,000-foot class vessels will significantly enhance our efforts to lower our fleet’s carbon emissions," remarked Mark W. Barker, President of Interlake. The installation of this eco-friendly technology was expertly managed by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, which has also undertaken the second phase of scrubber installations for the 1,004-foot Barker and the forthcoming 826-foot M/V Lee A. Tregurtha, expected to embark on its journey later this month. With these advancements, Interlake Steamship continues to lead the maritime industry in emission reduction, showcasing an unwavering commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement throughout its fleet.