8/2/23 - Damage Forces Lake Michigan Car Ferry To Shut Down '23 Season

Damage to the vessel's ramp system has forced the company to conclude their season earlier than anticipated.

Owners of the Lake Michigan Car Ferry say they’ll have to close for the rest of the season. They are repairing damage done to the ships' ramp system, and it will take longer than first expected.

“We have made the difficult, and unfortunately unavoidable, decision to suspend our daily crossings for the remainder of the season,” says Mark W. Barker, President of Interlake Maritime Services, parent company of the Lake Michigan Carferry (LMC). “This is not how we hoped our 70th season would end but we are fully committed to making the extensive repairs – and doing it the right way – so that we will be back better and stronger in 2024 to serve our loyal passengers and port communities.”

Sara Spore, General Manager of the Car Ferry says crews have been working hard over the last 11 days trying to make the appropriate repairs, "This is a very complicated process and one that will not be complete in time to resume service this season,”

 The company will try to keep as many of their employees as possible, and customers who’ve made reservations will be refunded.

For more information and details on refunds, visit SS Badger.