SS Badger, ferry that carries traffic across Lake Michigan, out for season after ramp system damaged

The operators of a historic ferry that carries traffic across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin say it is out of service for the rest of the season after its ramp system was damaged in July. The S.S. Badger’s daily crossings between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, were suspended indefinitely by operator Lake Michigan Carferry after the ramp system failed on July 21. On Tuesday, parent company Interlake Maritime Services said the ferry would not resume sailing this season because a damaged counterweight system requires months of repairs. The ferry began its season on May 18 and was scheduled to run daily crossings until Oct. 9.