By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON, Mich. — Technology on board the S.S. Badger spans nearly 200 years. One of the oldest forms of technology is the engine order telegraph (EOT), which is used to communicate between the pilot houses and…
This MCP Great Lakes Boat Blog is a presentation of House of Flavors Restaurant of Ludington and the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON, Mich. – Eric Roberts is a jack-of-all-trades in the SS…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The Goodrich Transportation Co., later known as the Goodrich Transit Co., operated for over 80 years and, at one time, was the largest passenger and freight service on the Great Lakes, operating mainly on Lake Michigan.…
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,…
Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief June 25, 2025 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE, Mich. — To date this season, I have photographed the MV Manitowoc more than any other freighter. The obvious reason for this is that the Manitowoc seems…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Friday, June 20, 2025 MUSKEGON, Mich. — My focus the last few days has been centered around the Aquastar, a vessel that’s quite a bit smaller than many of my previous featured boats. Its size, though,…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Sunday, June 15, 2025 MANISTEE, Mich. — The Port of Manistee has been abuzz with ship watchers the last two days as two River Class freighters visited. The MV Calumet arrived about 9:40 p.m. Saturday and…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief June 12, 2025 MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Victory II visited Muskegon on Thursday, June 12, arriving about 6 a.m., docking at Heritage Landing, and then departing about 8 p.m. It’s the second cruise ship to visit…
Today MCP and Great Lakes Boat Blog launch a new series on Interlake Logistics Solutions, which operates the tug/barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41, based out of Ludington. We begin with general manager, Chuck Leonard. By Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributor LUDINGTON —…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Thursday, May 22, 2025 FERRYSBURG — Today was a two-for-one special in Ferrysburg/Grand Haven for west Michigan ship watchers. Two tug/barges, the Olive L. Moore/Menominee and Caroline McKee/Commander were unloading construction aggregates at the Verplank Dock…
