Kaye E. Barker Arrives to Offload Hon. James L. Oberstar Cargo
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – On Wednesday afternoon the Kaye E. Barker arrived and rafted alongside her fleetmate Hon. James L. Oberstar to take on her cargo of limestone. As of Wednesday evening the offloading had not started.
The Oberstar sustained unspecified bottom damage after grounding Sunday near Johnson Point in the East Neebish Channel, according to a release issued by owner Interlake Steamship Co.
The Oberstar has a total maximum capacity 108,000 gallons of fuel and other products. The coast guard said there are no reports of pollution in the water or surrounding area. The Oberstar is currently in the Hay Lake Anchorage.
The USCG cutter Spar and other smaller USCG vessels, as well the tug Wm. Boyd and a barge, are also on scene as part of a Unified Command Coast Guard operation. Anti-pollution equipment has been deployed around the vessel’s stern. There were no injuries on board.
The Hon. James L. Oberstar was originally named the Shenango II, built by the American Ship Building Company, Toledo, Ohio, in 1959 for the Shenango Furnace Co.
The vessel was acquired by Interlake Steamship Co.and renamed Charles M. Beeghly in 1967. In 1972, it was lengthened by 96′ at Fraser Shipyards, Superior, Wis., and in 1981, the ship was converted at the same yard to become a self-unloader capable of discharging cargo at a rate of 6,000 tons per hour.
During its 2008–2009 winter layup at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the ship’s General Electric Co. steam turbine power plant was replaced with two Bergen B:32:40L diesels, and diesel exhaust scrubbers were installed at the same yard in 2015. In 2010, the vessel was renamed Honorable James L. Oberstar.
USCG and local reports
Broadwind Sells Manitowoc Operations
Jun 5, 2025
Local News, Ryan Brahm
Broadwind Inc. has announced that they have sold its Manitowoc industrial fabrication operations.
A Morning Star News article says the company has “entered into a definitive agreement to sell its industrial fabrication operations in Manitowoc for total consideration of not less than $13 million.”
In the article, Broadwind President and CEO Eric Blashford is quoted as saying, “This transaction supports our continued strategic diversification in precision manufacturing toward other key power generation and infrastructure markets…At the same time, we remain committed to serving our key wind customers while consolidating production into our most competitive facility.”
Morning Star News also noted that the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2025.
Registration Now Open for Annual Soo Boatnerd Cruise
Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Freighter Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River!
- When: Friday, June 27, 6-9 pm, rain or shine
- Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)
- Limit: 100 passengers
- Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage
- General Adult Admission:
-Early Bird Adult $35.00 each (through May 31)
-Regular Adult $40.00 each (June 1-June 20)
-Procrastinator Adult $45 each (after June 20)
- Youth Admission, age 5-17: $15 flat rate
- Youth Admission, age 4 and under: FREE
- Students (age 18+) with a current, valid i.d. get a $5 discount off an adult ticket. The student must present their student i.d. when boarding.
This year’s St. Mary’s River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 27. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters.
Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (you cannot bring alcohol).
Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Mailed checks must be received no later than Friday, June 20.
If the cruise is not sold out by June 20, we will take online or cash (US funds only) reservations at the Procrastinator Price of $45.00 per General Admission ticket. Youth ticket rates stay the same as listed above.
Click link below to buy your ticket(s) online.
Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or to request any refunds. No refunds will be issued after June 19.
