SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — A freighter in Lake Superior hit something underwater on Saturday and started taking on water, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Great Lakes district received reports about 6:53 a.m. that a 689-foot-long (210-meter-long) ship called the Michipicoten had collided with something about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Isle Royale, which is part of the state of Michigan. The ship was carrying taconite, which is a low-grade iron ore, and had 22 people aboard.
Water pumps onboard began displacing water, authorities said, and there were no signs that anything spilled from the ship. By 9:15 a.m., water pumps had reduced the listing of the freighter from 15 degrees to 5 degrees, the Coast Guard said.
Helicopter and boat crews were responding, the Coast Guard said.
Around 12:30 p. m. the Coast Guard said half of the people on board had been evacuated from the vessel for safety. The ship was on its way to a port for inspection and repairs.
Authorities say the cause of the collision will be investigated.
The collision occurred in the northwest part of the lake, which straddles the U.S.-Canadian border and is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
The United States Coast Guard recently reported a collision between a freighter ship and an underwater object in Lake Superior. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, when the ship was navigating through the waters near the Apostle Islands.
According to the Coast Guard, the freighter ship was traveling at a moderate speed when it struck the underwater object. The impact caused significant damage to the ship’s hull, resulting in a breach that led to water ingress. Thankfully, all crew members on board were able to evacuate safely and there were no reported injuries.
The exact nature of the underwater object that the ship collided with remains unknown at this time. However, the Coast Guard has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision and assess any potential environmental impact. Salvage operations are also underway to remove the damaged ship from Lake Superior.
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and is known for its unpredictable weather conditions and treacherous underwater terrain. Navigating these waters can be challenging for even the most experienced sailors, making collisions with underwater objects a common occurrence.
The Coast Guard reminds all mariners to exercise caution when navigating through Lake Superior and other bodies of water, especially during periods of low visibility or inclement weather. It is important for ships to maintain a safe speed and keep a vigilant lookout for potential hazards to avoid accidents like the one that occurred in this recent incident.
As the investigation into the collision continues, the Coast Guard will work to ensure the safety of all vessels navigating through Lake Superior and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, mariners are advised to stay informed of any updates and follow all safety guidelines while out on the water.
