A freighter in Lake Superior became slightly submerged Saturday and began taking on water. according to to the US Coast Guard.
The Great Lakes Coast Guard Area received reports around 6:53 a.m. that a 700-foot vessel called the Michipicoten had collided with an object about 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale, part of Michigan. The ship was carrying taconite, a low-grade iron ore, and had 22 people on board.
Water pumps on board began moving the water and there were no signs of leakage from the ship. According to the Coast Guard, by 9:15 a.m. the water pumps had reduced the freighter’s list from 15 degrees to 5 degrees.
Helicopter and boat crews responded and at 12:30 p.m. the Coast Guard reported that half the crew had been evacuated for safety. The ship was en route to a port for inspection and repairs.
The cause of the collision is under investigation.
The incident occurred in the northwestern part of the lake, which straddles the U.S.-Canadian border and is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
