Innovation

Innovation

2006-Present

Articulated Barge, Self-Unloading Cement Carrier; Paired with Tugboat Samuel de Champlain

Innovation / Samuel de Champlain on the St. Marys River, July 20, 2017. Photo by Roger LeLievre

Specs

Build Information

Year Built: 2006

Builder: Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Hull #760

Registry: U.S. 1184532

IMO #9082336

Laid Down: August 31, 2005

Launch Date: December 11, 2005

Commissioned: June 3, 2006

Paired Tugboats:

Construction

The Innovation was constructed in 2006 by Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, as a self-unloading cement barge for American Transport Leasing of Muskegon, Michigan. The barge was to be operated by Andrie, Inc. of Muskegon under a cargo contract to Holcim.

The Innovation was the second of two nearly identical self-unloading cement barges constructed by Bay Shipbuilding, her sister being the Integrity of 1996. The Innovation, unlike her sister, is equipped with both a Fuller-Kinyon cement pump discharge system as well as a conventional airslide boom. The airslide system is not used at most of her unloading ports.

The barge is equipped with a Bludworth-style Articulated Tug-Barge connection, allowing the tug and barge to connect and operate together.

General Stats

Length Overall [Combined Tug & Barge]: 544′

Length Overall [Barge]: 460′

Breadth: 70′

Depth: 37′

Loaded Draft: 26’06”

Capacity: 17,310 Tons

Vessel Type: Self-Unloading Cement Carrier; Barge

Number of Cargo Holds: 8

Number of Hatches: —

Primary Operations: Cement Trade

History

Lineage

Innovation – 2006-Present

Owner: American Transport Leasing, Muskegon, MI [Under cargo charter to Holcim]

Operator: Andrie, Inc., Muskegon, MI

Flag: United States

Home Port: Cleveland, OH

Her Story

The Innovation was constructed in 2006 by Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay, WI, as a self-unloading cement barge for American Transport Leasing of Muskegon, MI. The barge was to be operated by Andrie, Inc. of Muskegon under a cargo contract to Holcim.

Innovation was floated out of the drydock on December 11, 2005, and underwent final preparations for service over the winter. She was paired with the tugboat Samuel de Champlain in May of 2006, and the pair entered service on June 3, 2006, departing Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for Alpena, Michigan, to load cement.

The Innovation / Samuel de Champlain continue to serve Holcim cement, being operated and managed by Andrie, Inc. of Muskegon, MI.

Compiled By Brendan Falkowski

Updated on November 3, 2020

Gallery

Innovation / Samuel de Champlain on the St. Clair River, March 28, 2010. Photo by Roger LeLievre
Innovation / Samuel de Champlain on the St. Clair River, July 11, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock
Samuel de Champlain in the notch of Innovation, on the St. Clair River, July 11, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock
Innovation / Samuel de Champlain unloading at Detroit, Michigan, June 30, 2016. Photo by Isaac Pennock
Innovation / Samuel de Champlain on the St. Marys River, July 20, 2017. Photo by Roger LeLievre
Innovation / Samuel de Champlain on the St. Marys River, July 20, 2017. Photo by Roger LeLievre
Samuel de Champlain in the notch of Innovation, on the St. Marys River, July 20, 2017. Photo by Roger LeLievre
Innovation / Samuel de Champlain in winter layup at Toledo, Ohio, February 15, 2020. Photo by Brendan Falkowski

Sources

Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 7.4.

Pennock, Isaac. “Samuel de Champlain”. Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats. N.d. Accessed 3 November 2020. <https://gltugs.wordpress.com/samuel-de-champlain/>

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