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. Innovation was the second of two nearly identical self-unloading cement barges constructed by Bay Shipbuilding, her sister being Integrity of 1996. 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.
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 tug 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 Samuel de Champlain / Innovation continue to serve Lafarge cement, being operated and managed by Andrie Inc. of Muskegon, Michigan.
Written by Brendan Falkowski.
| Barge Particulars | |
| Length | 460′ 00″ (140.21m) |
| Beam | 70′ 00″ (21.34m) |
| Depth | 37′ 00″ (11.28) |
| Midsummer Draft | 26′ 06″ (8.08m) |
| Capacity | 7,557 tons |
| Tugs paired with tug | |
| Samuel de Champlain | 2006 – Today |