Life Aboard the Great Lakes' Newest Cargo Ship
Meet the crew that keeps things running, day and night, on the Mark W. Barker: a new vessel designed specifically to navigate the Cuyahoga River.
For Cleveland Magazine
The Mark W. Barker, at 639 feet long, is one of three Interlake Steamship Co. vessels that is short enough to move around the Cuyahoga’s many tight bends. The ship, which debuted in 2022, is the local shipping company’s first new vessel in more than 40 years. And though it’s a little shorter than most of the company’s other boats, it’s capable of carrying an impressive 26,000 tons of cargo at a time
Mate Matthew Bassett of Traverse City, Michigan has been working on the water for 25 years. He spends as many as 180 days a year on the boat.
Captian Alex Weber and wheelsman Zachry Filipiak navigate the notoriously tricky Cuyahoga River.
Chief steward Julie Kowalski prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the 22 person crew.
Engineer Erik Wlazlo at the control panel of the engine room.
