Innovation
2006-Present
Articulated Barge, Self-Unloading Cement Carrier; Paired with Tugboat Samuel de Champlain
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 2006
Builder: Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Hull #760
Registry: U.S. 1184532
IMO #9082336
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: December 11, 2005
Commissioned: June 3, 2006
Paired Tugboats:
- Samuel de Champlain [2006-Present]
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 Lafarge 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 Lafarge 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 Lafarge 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 Lafarge 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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