Boatnerd Discussion Forum

If I’m not mistaken, Kaye E. Barker’s next major periodic drydocking survey/inspection wasn’t technically due until next spring, if the ship was operating on the usual 1-year extension to the 5-year major survey interval.

Indications are that the Barker is in need of other mechanical attention that requires drydocking for more than a week’s time. With that in mind the owners may have decided that they might as well get the major periodic survey done now, since the ship was already going to be in drydocked for a significant amount of time. That wouldn't necessarily save them money now, but I’m guessing that it might save them on having to pay for -another- drydocking this coming winter, which is when the ship likely would have otherwise gone in for the big survey/inspection. Doing the survey now likely also gives Interlake more flexibility in where they end up sending the Kaye E. Barker into winter layup at the end of the shipping season.

Mn bob wrote: May 14, 2026, 6:36 pm Why did they wait till the season was underway to do a 5 year inspection on the keb? Wasn’t there an open drydock during this past winter layup for them to get the 5 year inspection done?

I don't think there was drydock space available in Sturgeon Bay or at Fraser in Superior for them over the winter. I think it was the John J. Boland that was in drydock in Superior that came off the blocks a little later after the season began. So they likely had the Kaye do a few runs, make some money and wait for the blocks to be set and here we are!

Did she go into service and then the dry dock?

Is it possible that it's a cheaper drydocking to do it during the off-season for the shipyard (i.e., during the shipping season instead of during the busy winter layup months)?

Then I can see the sense if they can do without her capacity for a few weeks.

Why did they wait till the season was underway to do a 5 year inspection on the keb? Wasn’t there an open drydock during this past winter layup for them to get the 5 year inspection done?