LUDINGTON, Mich. — The S.S. Badger is ending its season after the car ferry was having issues with its ramp.
The ramp and docking system are also a unique and interesting piece of history.
The car ferry uses what's called an "apron" docking system which is the last one of its kind in operation in the state.
Nathan Wietrzykowski is the manager of the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and he's operated the S.S. Badger's "apron" docking system for several years.
"The one that the Badger uses it certainly predates the Badger and it could be 80 years older or more," said Wietrzykowski.
The "apron" is the first thing that gets lowered into place so the car ferries can dock.
"There's the span itself which is what everything drives across it which is extraordinarily heavy because it has to handle the force of the ship docking and the force of the things driving over it which back in the day was a 100 plus ton railcars."
Aprons nowadays are hard to find.
"Muskegon--their apron from their car ferry is still kind of intact. The aprons in Frankfort, MI... I'm not sure if they collapsed or torn down but they're mostly gone now. We're all that's left in Michigan," said Wietrzykowski.
The anchor is a reminder of the past and the old former way of doing things that people don't get to be exposed to anymore.
Car ferries began stopping in the 1970s and 1980s.
Operators of the ferry say repairs could take months, but they hope to be back in business next year.
Passengers with reservations will receive full refunds.
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