Staff member of the S.S. Badger car ferry tests positive for COVID-19. Service temporarily suspended.
LUDINGTON, MI – (Mlive) - A COVID case among the crew of the S.S. Badger will result in the temporary docking of the Lake Michigan car ferry.
One crew member tested positive for COVID-19 and three others are under quarantine, according to a press release from Interlake Maritime Services, which operates the ferry between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
The sailing schedule was halted after the ferry completed its trips on Tuesday, Aug. 10, according to the press release. It is expected to resume service on Aug. 19.
The ferry is offering to rebook scheduled trips or to provide refunds.
Ferry officials learned that a crew member was exposed to COVID-19, who was quarantined and subsequently tested positive for the virus, according to the press release. The company conducted contact tracing and three other crew members have been quarantined and are awaiting test results, according to the press release.
“The safety of our employees and passengers is our top priority,” Interlake Maritime Services President Mark W. Barker said in a prepared statement. “We are hopeful that this is an isolated incident.”
The company determined there was no need to contact trace any passengers because the impacted employees “don’t work in customer-facing positions,” Chrissy Kadleck, spokesperson for Interlake Maritime Services, told MLive.
“There isn’t concern about passengers,” she said.
The company does not require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but does “highly encourage” them to, Kadleck said.
Passengers who need to change their bookings can call 800-841-4243. The Badger’s season ends on Oct. 10.
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