UPDATE: The crossing back from Manitowoc, Wi. scheduled to arrive in Ludington at 6:30 is currently being delayed, the S.S. Badger is still Wisconsin as of 7:00 p.m.
They issued the following statement on their Facebook page; "While maneuvering in the Manitowoc harbor debris was sucked into the intake valve. The process of cleaning the intact value has taken longer than anticipated. More details will follow as available. Thank you."
The S.S. Badger began serving travelers in Michigan and Wisconsin Thursday. But, this is no ordinary start to the season.
The Badger started sailing for the first time as a designated National Historic Landmark.
To celebrate, leaders from the ship held a dedication ceremony. The ceremony was held at the dock in Ludington at 8 a.m.
According to our partners at the Ludington Daily News, the ship's boilers were lit Tuesday night in a ritual that marks a new beginning.
The Badger will make one round-trip between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, each day.
"We need to get back to business as usual, expand our business and increase our opportunities expand our marketing, and expand our passenger counts," said Bob Manglitz, Lake Michigan Carferry co-owner. "We have been so focused on the past and issues that have come up with the car ferry that were very time consuming, so we are just ready to go back to business."
Other National Historic Landmarks in the U.S. include the White House, Brooklyn Bridge and Carnage Hall.