LUDINGTON, Mich. — Last summer, the S.S. Badger's 70th season crossing between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin came to an abrupt end due to a mechanical failure. However, the S.S. Badger will be heading back to open waters as it is taking reservations for the 2024 season.
"The hard work to repair the dock continues," read the announcement on its website.
For now, reservations can be made for crossings starting as early as Friday, June 14. However, the announcement also stated that once they announce their official opening date for the 2024 season, dates for crossing could extend to as early as May.
"The entire Badger team is excited to get back underway in 2024," the announcement said.
The Badger's season ended last summer on July 21 when there was a ramp failure. At the time, President of Interlake Maritime Services Mark W. Barker released a video statement where he explained the complexity of the ship's ramp system and the extent of the damage.
Barker said the Badger was initially built to handle the weight of railroad cars. Therefore, the two towers on the ramp system are equipped with weights to counter the weight of the loads the ship was meant to carry.
"In order to raise and lower the ramp to accommodate the change in water levels and the change in vessel draft to allow the Badger to pull away from the dock, a system of counterweights, which are those large weights that suspend from the towers on either side of the ramp, are used," Barker said.
The damage to the ramp system was caused by the failure of one of those towers, which fell into the water.
Barker said that while the repairs were expected to take months, they planned to come back "better and stronger" in 2024.
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