The US Coast Guard said a freighter in Lake Superior encountered an underwater obstacle on Saturday (June 8), resulting in water entering the vessel.

Freighter Collision Near Isle Royale Involves Taconite Transport

Reports came in to the Coast Guard Great Lakes district around 6:53 a.m. regarding a collision involving the Michipicoten, a 689-foot-long (210-meter-long) ship. 

The incident occurred approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Isle Royale, located in Michigan.  According to the NY Post, the vessel was transporting taconite, a type of low-grade iron ore, with a total of 22 individuals on board.

The Coast Guard confirmed that no substances were released into the water from the ship. Efforts were made to pump out the water and stabilize the ship, reducing its tilt from 15 degrees to 5 degrees.

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Michipicoten En Route for Repairs with Edwin H. Gott Escort

The Michipicoten was en route to port for repairs, accompanied by the bulk carrier Edwin H. Gott. The US Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and National Park Service vessels continue to be actively involved with the operation.

Helicopters along with boat crews were dispatched to the scene, according to the Coast Guard. At approximately 12:30 pm, the Coast Guard announced that a significant number of individuals had been safely rescued from the vessel. The ship was en route to a port for inspection and repairs, AP reported.

Authorities are currently looking into the cause of the collision. The collision took place in the northwest region of the lake, which spans the US-Canadian border and holds the title of being the largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of surface area.

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