The S.S. Badger departs from Manitowoc for the first return to Ludington, Michigan in 2022. (Photo: Casey Nelson WTAQ News)
LUDINGTON, Mich. (WTAQ-WLUK) — The S.S. Badger is moving full steam ahead toward the start of its 71st sailing season, which will kick off earlier than expected.
Officials announced Thursday the historic car ferry that runs between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc will return to service May 17 — four weeks sooner than the planned date of June 14.
Last August, the S.S. Badger’s season was abruptly cut short when a portion of its docking equipment on the east side of Lake Michigan broke. Crews have been working for months to complete the necessary structural repairs and improvements to the ramping system.
Sara Spore, general manager of Lake Michigan Carferry (LMC), said it’s great news for everyone involved.
We are thrilled to welcome our passengers back more than a month earlier than originally anticipated. It’s a testament to the dedication of our staff here and the hard work of local vendors to make sure we are ready to go.
We know the important role our Badger plays in tourism, travel and adventure for our port communities of Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. We can’t wait to get back to doing what we do best on the shores of our Great Lake.
With the successful construction of two new counterweight structures for the carferry’s ramp system, the Badger is back, better and stronger ready to carry passengers and transport freight across our marine highway on Lake Michigan.
The S.S. Badger makes its four-hour, 60-mile journey seven days a week from about mid-May to October and brings about 1,200 people into Manitowoc each day.
Comments