Chief Engineer Kevin Diedrich operates the Badger’s port side engines while docking in Ludington.
Part 5
Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LAKE MICHIGAN — When Kevin Diedrich was growing up in Manitowoc, Wis. his grandparents lived near the lakeshore. Kevin and his sister had the chore of mowing their grandparents’ lawn. When they were done they would go down by the shore and watch the carferries come and go.
“My sister used to draw pictures of the Badger, City of Midland and the Viking,” Kevin said. “The Viking (formerly the Ann Arbor No. 7) was her favorite. We would do that every week.”
It took Kevin several decades before he realized that he belonged on the carferry, specifically the S.S. Badger.
Kevin, 65, is a chief engineer on the Badger, but his career there only began 24 years ago.
A 1979 graduate of Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Kevin started working as a production machinist out of high school. In 1982, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and achieved the rank of second class petty officer with the rating of a machinery technician. He served in the Coast Guard for six years including serving 2 years on a 180-foot buoy tender in Alaska.
Docking maneuvers in the engine room.
When he was honorably discharged, he returned to Manitowoc and continued his career in the factory for the next 20 years. He began as a machinist and then eventually became a millwright. Then, the lake began calling.
“One day I decided that I missed sailing and I wanted to go back to it,” Kevin said. “So, I filled out my paperwork.”
Because he was a Coast Guard veteran, he was able to quickly obtain his certification as qualified member of the engine department (QMED).
“I started putting applications in with shipping companies and then I found out that the Badger was hiring.” Kevin approached Senior Chief Engineer Chuck Cart (who has since retired). “Chuck told me that I shouldn’t shoot myself in the foot and give up my other job right away. So, he suggested I start out working the weekend shifts, relieving some of the other engine crew members.”
Kevin quickly realized that a career on the Badger was where he belonged.
Since he began in 2001, he has held every position in the engine department: coal passer, fireman, water tender, oiler, junior engineer, third engineer, second engineer, first engineer, chief engineer and senior chief engineer.
“I am the only person at the Badger since the railroad days who has held every position in the engine department,” Kevin said. “I’m pretty proud of that.”
The Badger is operated by two four-cylinder compound Skinner Unaflow steam engines, totaling 7,000 shp
Kevin was promoted to senior chief engineer shortly after Chuck Cart was promoted to an office position at Lake Michigan Carferry. He said the promotion, at first, caused some distress.
“I live in Manitowoc and I didn’t want to spend winter layup in Ludington,” Kevin said. “Though the Badger ends her season in October, there is work that takes place on the boat throughout the winter. But, Chuck Cart told me that he would handle those duties. Chuck was a great mentor.”
Kevin’s experience working on the Badger is much like many others who serve, whether they are rookies or long-time veterans.
“For me, it’s the engines. I never worked with a steam engine before I came on the Badger. I just fell in love with these engines. They are just so unique. I also really enjoy the crew. We have a really tight crew in the engine department. The entire ship’s crew is really close but this is our little world down here.”
Kevin also praised the companies that have owned the Badger, first the previous owners of Lake Michigan Carferry, Bob Manglitz, Don Clingan and the late Jim Anderson, and the new owners, Interlake Maritime Services.
“The companies have been very good to me. They treat me well and that’s been a great incentive to stay.”
However, it is time to slow down. Kevin and his wife are empty-nesters. Their adult son lives nearby and just became a journeyman mason. “In 25 years I’ve missed a lot of family events, weddings and funerals. It’s time to slow down a bit and spend more time with family.”
As the Badger ends her 2025 season on Oct. 12, Kevin will be back in Manitowoc for the winter.
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