Ever since the S.S. Badger Dock in Ludington Michigan broke, the exact nature of the malfunction wasn’t exactly clear.
However, Mark Barker, the President of Interlake Maritime Services which runs the Badger, recently released a video statement where he explained the issue in detail.
He explained that the docks on both sides of the lake weigh about 250 tons as they were designed to support the weight of loaded rail cars.
They also use massive counterweights to allow the vessel to dock and depart.
“It was one of those towers that unexpectedly failed and toppled into the water on July 21st,” he explained. “The exact cause of this failure in unknown at this time, but it was not a result of any crew action or collision. In fact, the quick actions of the crew helped to mitigate any further issues.”
He also noted that the Badger was docked at the time, which made getting everyone off the ship safely a much easier task.
As for what’s next, Barker revealed, “The tower, counterweight, and concrete associated with the structure weigh several hundred tons, and needs to be methodically cut apart underwater and removed before a new system can be installed. Contractors have estimated that will take several months.”
He ended the video by saying “Thank you again for your understanding and patience, and we look forward to seeing you in 2024.”
Click here to see the full video.
