BADGER

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Badger towed to Sturgeon Bay for refit

The SS 'Badger' left Ludington, Michigan, on Nov 3, 2021, at about 9 p.m., towed by two tugs from Sarter Marine Towing and arrived about 12 hours later in Door County, entering through the channel at Sturgeon Bay, to be drydocked at the yard around Nov. 15. The U.S. Coast Guard requires the ship to be inspected every five years. The SS 'Badger' last made the trip to Sturgeon Bay in 2015, but because of her fresh-water operations and seasonality, Interlake Steamship Company, the ferry’s parent company, received an extension for an additional year. Because the vessel’s steam engines and operations have been shut down for the season, she is towed to Door County and back. It will have a full inspection of the underwater portion of the hull. Workers will pull the tail shaft and redo her bearings. The ship will be blasted and painted for the first time since it was operated by the railroad. The company will add an epoxy undercoat to further protect the hull. The SS 'Badger' will head back to Ludington for the winter in about four weeks. The ferry’s next season in 2022 will start on May 12 and end on Oct 16. The company plans to offer two trips a day June 10 through Sep 5 and also typical cruises during the season, including an evening cruise in Manitowoc in 2022.

Ferry sidelined after Covid-19 case

The SS 'Badger' has suspended sailings across Lake Michigan on Aug 6, 2021, after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19. He was quarantined on shore as soon as managers learned the man had been exposed to Covid-19. The company conducteded contact tracing, adding three additional crew members were quarantined and was awaiting test results. The ship was expected to resume trips for both those with and without reservations on Aug. 19d. The company will reschedule or offer refunds to those who have reservations during the time the Badger is docked for the quarantine. Passengers can call 800-841-4243 to adjust bookings. Spore said reservations can be changed up to and until Oct. 10, which ends the 2021 season, without changes to fees or fees related to funding.

Historic ferry sold

The Ohio-based Interlake Holding Company announced on Dec 30, 2020, that it purchased the SS 'Badber', along with two other vessels and assets of the Pere Marquette Shipping Company and Lake Michigan Car Ferry Company. Besides the SS 'Badger', the deal included the acquisition of the Articulated Tug-Barge 'Undaunted-Pere Marquette 41' and the SS 'Spartan', a sister ship to the 'badber' that's currently not in operation. For more than 60 years, the 410-foot Badger — with room for 600 passengers and 180 vehicles — has steamed across Lake Michigan to and from Ludington and Manitowac, Wisconsin. Mark W. Barker, president of Interlake Holding was welcoming new employees, vessel lines and customers into the company's Great Lakes operation.