[Maritime] Badger Loses Certificate

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Dennis Storzek wrote:

All the Badger has to sell now is an inland pleasure cruise... they advertise avoiding the drive through Chicago, but their route is too far north... the Milwaukee to Muskegon hydroplane route makes more sense for that market.

Dennis -

My sister and her husband live in Madison, Wisconsin. Earlier this year, they were returning from a trip out east to visit their son and daughter-in-law and decided to take the hydroplane as a shortcut around Chicago. They called ahead to see if they needed to make a reservation for their car. The woman on the phone said yes, and then when my sister tried to make it she replied, "oh you meant for today? The lake is too rough today; we aren't running." I have no doubt that the Badger ran that day; both ways!

Les

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 8:18 pm

So, Les, did they drive up to Ludington to take the Badger? If not, you make my point.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Dennis -

I'm not sure how I make your point. A drive up to Ludington would certainly have been out of the way for them, which I am sure you are aware. On the other hand, folks returning to Wisconsin (or south/west/north of there) and who use the Port Huron gateway, certainly would have the option of using either service to avoid the Chicago area.

Les

hamster · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:30 am

Badger IS doing a very brisk business hauling windmill parts as well as cars and tourists across the lake. Watching them load those HUGE pieces of freight was darn interesting. Steerable multi-bogey low-boy trailers being BACKED into the ferry. With literally inches to spare overhead and on both sides. And there was a line up of trucks for the next day. The ferry makes just one round trip per day and overnights in Ludington. The railroad infrastructure still approaches the badger quay, but the rails have been removed the last several hundred yards.

nictd1000 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:30 pm **Posts:** 73

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nictd1000/6291956342/sizes/m/in/set-72157627829191319/

Glad I made one trip across in 2011, here's a shot of the Spartan layed up in Ludington.

Ryan

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

nictd1000 wrote:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nictd1000/6291956342/sizes/m/in/set-72157627829191319/

Glad I made one trip across in 2011, here's a shot of the Spartan layed up in Ludington.

Ryan

Ryan -

Thanks for the photo of the Spartan. Too bad some guy had to park that ugly pickup in front of it.

Les

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3010

adammil1 wrote:

Opponents of the Badger, including Milwaukee-based competitor Lake Express, have raised objections about the aging ship, notably, its practice of dumping nearly 4 tons of coal ash into the lake each day of operation.

4 tons of ash? Wow, I wouldn't have guessed that large of a quantity. How much coal does she burn each day?

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3010

Les Beckman wrote:

nictd1000 wrote:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nictd1000/6291956342/sizes/m/in/set-72157627829191319/

Glad I made one trip across in 2011, here's a shot of the Spartan layed up in Ludington.

Ryan

Ryan -

Thanks for the photo of the Spartan. Too bad some guy had to park that ugly pickup in front of it.

Les

Thought maybe it was the spare anchor?