J .F. Brennan Company, La Crosse, Wisc., christened its newest barge, the Michael Turner, on Sept. 20 at its North Kingstown, R.I. facility.
The barge was built by Feeney Shipyard, Kingston, N.Y., and named in honor of Michael “Mike” Turner, a Brennan superintendent who passed away unexpectedly in 2024 at age 46.
The christening brought together Brennan leadership, employees, union members, and Turner’s family. Brennan president and CEO Matt Binsfeld said in prepared remarks that the vessel naming reflects Turner’s influence on the company’s culture and the impact he had on his colleagues.
The Michael Turner is a 150'x60'x10' barge built to American Bureau of Shipping standards and is load-lined for ocean service. Brennan designed the barge in-house.
The company said the new barge will serve both as a working vessel and as a tribute to Turner’s legacy within the company.
Turner joined Brennan in 2021 as a superintendent and oversaw major projects, the company said in a statement. A Marine Corps veteran and longtime carpenter, Turner was remembered by colleagues for his professionalism and dedication to his crews.
