The SS Badger has officially started its 65th year of operation after the ship’s arrival in Manitowoc on Friday. Passengers and onlookers were greeted by a cold afternoon with a rain/ sleet mix when the SS Badger tied up at the newly repaired Manitowoc dock just past noon.
High waves from Winter Storm Evelyn damaged a counterweight on the docking platform and eroded away part of the paved approach to the dock in Manitowoc. With most repairs completed, passenger vehicles had to drive over gravel to reach the platform, more permanent paving is scheduled to be completed next week.
The SS Badger is celebrating 65 years of service on Lake Michigan, The Badger transports passengers and vehicles between Ludington Michigan and Manitowoc Wisconsin from mid-May through mid-October.