BADGER

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Ferry to be drydocked for propeller shaft bearing repair

The SS 'Badger' will sail into dry dock under its own power to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) in Sturgeon Bay to undergo a propeller shaft bearing repair in preparation for the sailing season 2ß25. The ship was tentatively scheduled to leave Ludington, Michigan, for Sturgeon Bay on April 29 for the 12-hour voyage. Rather than traveling through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, the vessel will take a northern route to the tip of the Door Peninsula and Washington Island from Lake Michigan into Sturgeon Bay. It will then sail south back to the city of Sturgeon Bay. The 'Badger' is expected to return to Ludington around May 10, in preparation for the sailing season that starts on May 16 when it departs Ludington. The ship travels an official designated extension of US 10 on Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, being the last steamship to operate on the Great Lakes and a registered National Landmark.

Badger to undergo propeller shaft repairs

The S.S. 'Badger' will head to Door County for some sprucing up before its sailing season begins May 16, 2025. The ferry will be placed into dry dock of the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, where it will undergo a propeller shaft bearing repair. The 'Badger' is tentatively scheduled to leave Ludington on April 29, making the 12-hour journey under its own power. It takes two or three weeks of work’ prior to the season, which involves getting the engines and machinery ready. Rather than sailing through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, the 'Badger' will take a northern route to the tip of the Door Peninsula and Washington Island from Lake Michigan into the Bay of Green. It will then travel south back to the city of Sturgeon Bay. The repairs to the propeller shaft bearing requires taking the ferry out of the water and removing its 13-foot, 10-inch starboard propeller. This repair is different than the 'Badger''s routine five-year dry dock inspection, which last took place over the winter of 2021-2022. The 'Badger' is expected to return to Ludington, Michigan, around May 10 before its spring season begins.

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.