"LUDINGTON, Mich. (WLUK) -- The S.S. Badger is temporarily halting its ferrying services across Lake Michigan due to a mechanical failure.
The company Lake Michigan Carferry announced that it would be halting cross-lake services after the Badger experienced an issue with its ramping system Friday morning.
LMC says a team of Great Lakes partners are working to assess and repair the issue as soon as possible."
As quoted from:
https://fox11online.com/news/local/badger-manitowoc-ludington-michigan-wisconsin-lake-michigan-great-lakes-lake-michigan-carferry-ferry-car-mechanical-issue-ramp-ramping-system
Ramping system sounds like more a problem with the dock rather than the boat itself.
I would assume that the aprons are in need of repair or rebuilding.
Since it is owned by Interlake, I expect the repairs to be swiftly and competently made.
The company just announced that the ramp would have to be rebuilt, and service would be shut down for the season.
https://www.ssbadger.com/
MidlandMikeThe company just announced that the ramp would have to be rebuilt, and service would be shut down for the season. https://www.ssbadger.com/
All in all - the business must not be 'that profitable' if they are going to 'give up' on the balance of the season - at least 3 if not 4 more months of traffic.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
It's not that at all.
"Underwater divers, marine construction contractors and an engineering firm were quickly engaged but over the last week it became clear that the necessary repairs were extensive and would take months to clear the collapsed structure and erect a new one.”
They've just realized that there's no way they're going to effect repairs in time to resume their season. Instead of leaving people hanging that have reservations booked for later this year, they've done the right thing by letting everyone know that it's going to take quite a bit longer than they had been hoping.
Interlake didn't buy her since they're carferry fans. They were well aware of the financials and I say we can safely judge her financial performance by the fact that a healthy and well regarded fleet on the Great Lakes invested in purchasing this business.
Leo_AmesIt's not that at all. "Underwater divers, marine construction contractors and an engineering firm were quickly engaged but over the last week it became clear that the necessary repairs were extensive and would take months to clear the collapsed structure and erect a new one.” They've just realized that there's no way they're going to effect repairs in time to resume their season. Instead of leaving people hanging that have reservations booked for later this year, they've done the right thing by letting everyone know that it's going to take quite a bit longer than they had been hoping. Interlake didn't buy her since they're carferry fans. They were well aware of the financials and I say we can safely judge her financial performance by the fact that a healthy and well regarded fleet on the Great Lakes invested in purchasing this business.
MRL's Montana bridge issues
When it is critical and profitable - they bring in 'The Pros from Dover' and move heaven and earth to get the job done and the money machine running again.
There's certainly a lot more money involved in the Montana Rail Link incident. Throw those level of resources towards this issue and it too would be resolved quickly.
But even though the Badger doesn't share the importance, revenue, and profitability of Montana Rail Link's mainline that enabled that level of resources to be brought to bear on fixing that failure of their infrastructure, I don't believe this incident and the length of time it will take to resolve suggests it's not still a profitable and attractive business segment for the Interlake Steamship Company.
It's just too bad. They had just recently announced business had improved to where they were going to add a second round trip (over night) during August and September.
I wonder if part of the long timeline for repairs is that they might be looking for government grants/loans. Ay one time the ferry route was considered a continuation of US Route 10.
The US Route network is a co-operative effort of the various state highway officials and the Federal government is not involved in any way.
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