Part 3 Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Max Hockanson, 22, has been working on the S.S. Badger since he was 16-years-old. Now in his eighth year at Lake Michigan Carferry, he is an able bodied…
LUDINGTON — Lake Michigan Carferry has announced the S.S. Badger will not be sailing on Sunday, Oct. 5 due to forecasting gale force winds with waves from 7 to 13 feet. “LMC understands the disappointment and inconvenience this decision causes…
Story by Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributing Writer Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Ludington is a maritime town. It has been since its early days of lumber. From the mid-19th century there have been ships that have worked…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — On Monday, Sept. 29, MCP contributing writer Mark Varenhorst and myself spent the day on the S.S. Badger. Our purpose for the trip was to feature some of the many people who keep…
LUDINGTON — Fall is a great time of year to explore the Great Lakes. The kids are back in school, the air is crisp, the sky features radiant sunrises and sunsets, and harvests are being celebrated throughout the region. It’s…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — I have had the opportunity to ride along with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol the last few days, over the Labor Day weekend. My focus was to cover the heavy vessel traffic…
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…
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.,…
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…
