PHOTO COURTESY OF SS BADGER: LAKE MICHIGAN CARFERRY
A failure of the counterweight structure on the port side of Lake Michigan Carferry’s SS Badger on July 21 has resulted in the vessel suspending operations for the season. After investigation, necessary repairs have proven extensive and will take months to clear the collapsed structure and erect a new one, announced the company.
“We have made the difficult and unfortunately unavoidable, decision to suspend our daily crossings for the remainder of the season,” says Mark W. Barker, president of Interlake Maritime Services, parent company of the Lake Michigan Carferry. “This is not how we hoped our 70th season would end but we are fully committed to making the extensive repairs — and doing it the right way — so that we will all be back better and stronger in 2024 to serve our loyal passengers and port communities.”
The company is working to keep as many of its seasonal workers employed as possible in Ludington and through other employment opportunities, and the reservations teams are issuing full refunds for passengers with reservations. Passengers will be contacted individually in order of reservation date.
To learn more, visit ssbadger.com.
