GREAT LAKES/SEAWAY LOG ARCHIVE

VOLUME 29 NUMBER 12 - June 4, 2001

HOPING TO ASSERT ITSELF in a long-coveted ferry route between Muskegon and Milwaukee, the Ludington-based Lake Michigan Carferry Co. recently announced plans to service the route starting in 2003 with the former C&O carferry Spartan, sister ship of LMC's Badger which runs between Ludington and Manitowoc.

LMC officials said that the 49-year-old Spartan would be renovated and repowered to the tune of $11 million to service the southern cross-lake route. According to the MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, the basic plan would be to convert Spartan into a vessel renamed Wisconsin Clipper which could carry up to 620 passengers and 200 cars. The largest aspect of the renovation would be replacing the vessel's original coal-fired boilers with new diesel engines. The ship, which has not operated since 1979 and has since been stripped of many parts to supply Badger, would be refitted to include two restaurants, two movie theaters, four bars and a coffee shop. On-board entertainment would help provide a cruise atmosphere.

Fares would be comparable to the Ludington-Manitowoc route, company officials said. Currently, Lake Michigan Carferry charges approximately $65 per person and $94 per vehicle for a round trip between Ludington and Manitowoc.

Immediately following LMC's announcement, questions arose over docking arrangements in both Muskegon and Milwaukee. LMC officials would not specify where the new ferry service would dock in either port and municipal officials in both cities say there are few places available where the ferry service could develop docking terminals for such a large ship, and no one has contacted those sites.

Muskegon County Administrator Frank Bednarek said LMC has not asked for county assistance and the county board has not considered any. The Ludington ferry company appears to be willing to start a Muskegon-Milwaukee service without the assistance of the city or county governments in Muskegon nor the Port of Milwaukee in Wisconsin.

Muskegon and Milwaukee have not been linked by a cross-lake ferry since Milwaukee Clipper ended operations in 1970. A Milwaukee company is exploring a high-speed ferry service with a new catamaran ship that would cross the lake in about two hours. By contrast, Lake Michigan Carferry seeks to provide more of a cruise environment with food, beverage and entertainment for the four- to five-hour trip.

Publisher: Michelle Cortright
Editor: David L. Knight
Circulation: Elizabeth Talboys

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