If you are driving through Sturgeon Bay Wednesday evening, don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a federal landmark to sail by. Crews of the S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Carferry are preparing the vessel for its 12-hour journey from Ludington, Michigan to Sturgeon Bay for a propeller shaft bearing repair in dry dock at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. High winds kept the 410-foot car ferry from departing Ludington on Tuesday.
When the repairs were announced in March, Sara Spore, General Manager of Lake Michigan Carferry, said, “It is the priority of Lake Michigan Carferry and our parent company, Interlake Maritime Services, to keep the Badger in its best working condition. Having these repairs done now will reduce interruptions to our summer sailing season.” While the delay will push the S.S. Badger’s return to May 11th, the Lake Michigan Carferry believes it will still be ready to go ahead of the start of its sailing season on May 16th.
The S.S. Badger was last in Sturgeon Bay in 2022 after spending a portion of the winter receiving repairs, upgrades, and a new paint job.
