The S.S. Badger is headed back to Ludington, Michigan with crew members only, after being docked in Manitowoc overnight.

Don Clingan with Lake Michigan Car Ferry says they canceled trips today in order to repair an engine problem caused during the ship’s first voyage of the year. A broken piston kept the ship stranded Thursday afternoon in Manitowoc Harbor, about 450 feet off shore. A tug boat had to be called in from Sturgeon Bay to help the ferry get to the dock.

Emergency repairs were done overnight, while the roughly 300 passengers who came over from Michigan were sent home this morning using other modes of transportation.

If the ship passes engine tests, it could be back up and running its route on Saturday morning.

Brian Norton, WOMT

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