Lake Express ferry engine lift timelapse May 6, 2011.

Removing a starboard engine from the Lake Express high speed ferry dockside at the Milwaukee terminal in May 2011. A replacement engine was delivered and lowered into the engine room May 8th.

The ship was designed to swap engines and do major component work while sitting at dock - eliminating the need for shipyard facilities as is was the case with traditional Lake Michigan ferries.

Two engines were swapped using this process each of the last two winters.

This dockside maintenance is possible because the ship is fitted with "soft patches" in its car deck. This allows Lake Express maintenance crew to unbolt the engines (and generators, gear boxes, mufflers, etc.) and remove/repair/replace as necessary.

With a replacement engine in hand, the entire process can be completed in as few as 5 days.

A replacement engine was delivered and loaded onto the ship May 8, 2011. Installation was complete mid-day May 10th and the Lake Express began sea trials the morning of May 11, 2011.

The 2011 Lake Express sailing season is set to begin Monday May 16, 2011.

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