S.S. Badger prepares for summer season
LUDINGTON -- It's a big year ahead for the S.S. Badger car-ferry. Environmental restrictions could ground the ship in 2012 unless it stops dumping coal in Lake Michigan.
The S.S. Badger is the only coal-fired steamship still operating in North America. The old-fashioned method requires ship workers to dispose the hot coal ash by mixing it with water and dumping it into the lake.
The EPA worries the ash contains dangerous levels of lead and arsenic, but S.S. Badger supporters say it's not hazardous. A Save Our Ship campaign is raising money to upgrade the Badger and keep it operating, it includes an auction.
Lynda Matson, VP Customer Service says, "We have numerous artifacts we have nearly fifty, and the appraisal is nearly $20,000. So we have some great stuff in every price range so absolutely everyone, no matter how much your budget, is can take something home."
The auction ends Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.
For now, the S.S. Badger is getting prepared for its first voyage of the season. Thursday morning the ship hits the waters of Lake Michigan. Crews spent Wednesday making sure it's ready for passengers of all ages.
