The M/V JOSEPH L. BLOCK arrived at the entrance to the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal mid-morning on Wednesday January 17, 2024. She proceeded down the bay, through the three Sturgeon Bay bridges, pivoted and backed into her slip for winter layup at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. The tugs William C. Gaynor and Jimmy L broke ice in front of and around the Block. The M/V JOSEPH L. BLOCK is the first vessel in for the 23-24 winter lay-up season. The M/V JOSEPH L. BLOCK was christened June 29, 1976 at Bay Shipbuilding. The vessel’s name came from the Chairman of the Board of the owner, Inland Steel Co. She has carried her name though-out her life and has been owned and operated by Indiana Harbor Steamship Co. and Central Marine Logistics Inc. of Highland, Indiana respectively since July, Unfortunately, the Joseph L. block has had a rough career suffering a number of engine problems as well as hull damage from groundings and ice. However, after 47 years of battling the Great Lakes, the M/V JOSEPH L. BLOCK continues to serve its owner.
Specifications:
Length 728 feet
Beam (width) 78 feet
Depth 45 feet
Capacity 37,200 tons
Power 2 3600 horsepower EMD V20 diesel engines turning one propeller and bow and stern thrusters
Self-Unloading rate 6,000 tons per hour
Look for an aft pilot house, aft self-unloading boom with an iron ore red hull and white and gray upper paint.
The winter fleet can be viewed at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin with viewing spots on both sides of the bay. Be sure to enjoy the spectacular view from the Door County Maritime Museum Lighthouse Tower. Also check out the two new fabrication buildings at the south end of the yard. They are being used to make large subassemblies for a new series of US Navy frigates that will be built across Green Bay at Fincantieri Marinette Marine.