If you think Great Lakes freighters are cool, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce wants to hear from you.
That’s because one such, especially noteworthy vessel built in Door County is one of the nominees in the seventh annual “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” contest sponsored by WMC and Johnson Financial Group, and the public is invited to cast its votes for its favorites.
The sole local nominee is the M/V Mark W. Barker, which is significant — and potentially cool — because it’s the first U.S.-flagged, Great Lakes freighter to be built on the lakes in almost 40 years (since 1983). Built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay for Ohio-based Interlake Shipping Co., the Barker had its launching ceremony Oct. 28 of last year and set off on its maiden voyage July 27.