Coast Guard Reports Freighter Sustains Water Ingress Following Collision with Submerged Object in Lake Superior

**Freighter in Distress: Quick Response Averts Environmental Disaster on Lake Superior**

In a dramatic incident early Saturday morning, a 689-foot freighter, the Michipicoten, encountered a critical situation on Lake Superior near Grand Portage, Minnesota. The vessel, laden with taconite, a form of low-grade iron ore, struck an underwater obstacle, causing it to take on water and prompting an urgent response from the crew and the US Coast Guard.

The Michipicoten was approximately 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale, a remote part of Michigan, when disaster struck. The impact with the unseen underwater hazard led to significant flooding onboard, endangering the lives of the 22 crew members and threatening the pristine waters of Lake Superior with potential pollution.

In a swift operation, about half of the crew were evacuated from the stricken freighter, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Despite the perilous conditions, the Coast Guard reported that there was no evidence of any spillage into the lake. Efforts to manage the flooding proved somewhat successful, with onboard pumps reducing the ship’s list from a precarious 15 degrees to a more manageable 5 degrees.

The Michipicoten, escorted by the bulk carrier Edwin H. Gott, was directed to the nearest port for essential repairs. The Coast Guard, along with the Border Patrol and the National Park Service, remained actively involved in the operation, ensuring the safety of the crew and the environmental integrity of Lake Superior.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation, with authorities keen to understand how such an incident occurred in the vast expanse of the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area, which straddles the US-Canadian border.

This incident underscores the challenges and risks associated with maritime transport, particularly in the treacherous and unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. It also highlights the effectiveness of the rapid response by the crew and the US Coast Guard in averting what could have been a significant environmental disaster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.