Photo courtesy SSBadgerFerry on Facebook

LIVE TRACKING: Watch the S.S. Badger arrive in Sturgeon Bay. Link: https://www.marinetraffic.com/…/centery:44.825/zoom:13

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STURGEON BAY — The SS Badger, which ferries passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan from Manitowoc to Ludington is expected to arrive in Sturgeon Bay Thursday for its five-year inspection.

The routine dry dock at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding will include regular inspections as well as a new paint job, according to the company.

The S.S. Badger returned to service in 2021 after being sold in 2020 to Interlake Holding Company, a family-operated shipping company based in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. 

The 410ft. S.S. Badger can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, including; RVs, motorcycles, motor coaches, and commercial trucks during her sailing season.

Originally designed primarily to transport railroad cars, this ship and the people who serve her have successfully adapted to the changing world since she first entered service in 1953. 

Interlake Steamship has a new ship being constructed at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. The 639-foot ship, called the Mark W. Barker, launched this month.

The S.S. Badger travels from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan from May to October.



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By Dan Plutchak

Editor and publisher of the Door County Shore Report