Hon. James L. Oberstar

[Guest]

I believe they are there to deflect any falling ice. In January 2022 the second mate of the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was apparently killed by falling ice while monitoring the anchor through an open porthole in the bow. Since then several vessels have been retrofitted with shields above certain portholes. I think most Interlake vessels now have them. Others, like Grand River have placed bars across the portholes as a barrier.

[Guest]

A recent photo of the James L. Oberstar in drydock at Fraser Shipyard shows two curved sunshades over the forward most portholes in the anchor/windlass room at the bow. Are they to keep the sun or rain out?

https://boatnerd.com/port-report-march- ... id=1&pid=2