A Repair Journey: The Badger Prepares for a New Sailing Season

Badger, the iconic ferry operating on the Great Lakes, is gearing up for its annual sailing season with an essential propeller shaft bearing repair. Scheduled to depart Ludington, Michigan, on April 29, 2025, the vessel will make a 12-hour journey under its own power to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) in Sturgeon Bay for a dry docking process. In a deviation from its usual route, the ferry will navigate a northern passage around the Door Peninsula and Washington Island before entering Sturgeon Bay. This route will ensure the repair and maintenance processes align with the vessel's operational demands for the upcoming season, which kicks off on May 16.

Once at FBS, the Badger will undergo specific repairs to its propeller shaft bearing, a procedure that necessitates removing the 13-foot, 10-inch starboard propeller and taking the ferry out of the water. This maintenance is distinct from the vessel's routine inspections, with its last five-year checkup completed in the winter of 2021-2022. Typically, maintenance efforts prior to the sailing season include comprehensive checks of the engines and machinery, which are vital for the smooth operation during the busy months ahead.

The Badger holds the distinction of being the last steamship operating on the Great Lakes, making it a registered National Landmark. After its repair work is finalized – expected to take two to three weeks – the ferry is anticipated to return to Ludington around May 10. Given its historical significance and continued operation on Lake Michigan, the upcoming repair will ensure the Badger remains a reliable mode of transportation for passengers traveling between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.