Category: Ludington, Mich.

Escorting the S.S. Badger

LUDINGTON, Mich. — We tagged along with Deputy Mark Willis of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Sunday evening, Aug. 24, 2025, escorting the S.S. Badger into and out of the Port of Ludington. Lake Michigan waves were over…

Northern Venture makes 2025 Ludington debut

Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON, Mich. — The MV Northern Venture made its 2025 debut to the Port of Ludington Monday morning, Aug. 4. The ship was delivering road aggregate to the Reith-Riley Construction Ludington dock. This…

The Defiance/Ashtabula tug/barge at Ludington port

Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON, Mich. — The Port of Ludington was visited Sunday evening, Aug. 3, 2025, by the tug/barge Defiance/Ashtabula, which unloaded road aggregate at the Reith-Riley Construction dock.   The Defiance is an articulated…

Working the Lakes: Undaunted/PM41; Part 2, the crew

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is a presentation of Filer Credit Union, with offices in Manistee, Ludington and Bear Lake, www.filercu.com and the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Read…

VIDEO: Ludington’s busy harbor

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Sunday, July 20, 2025 LUDINGTON, Mich. — Just as the Spartan tug and Spartan II barge arrived at Ludington harbor Sunday afternoon, the boats participating in the week-long Ludington Offshore Classic fishing tournament’s final day also…

SS Badger evening arrival in Ludington

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Saturday, July 19, 2025 LUDINGTON, Mich. — The SS Badger made a rare after-sunset arrival in its home port of Ludington Saturday evening. Typically, this time of year, the Badger arrives in Ludington from Manitowoc, Wis.,…

Leonard put in charge of Lake Michigan Carferry

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON, Mich. — Long-time car ferry/shipping veteran Chuck Leonard has been put in charge of all Interlake Maritime Services in Ludington, which include Lake Michigan Carferry, operator of the SS Badger. Leonard,…