In an unexpected incident, a freighter in Lake Superior collided with an unidentified underwater object, causing it to take on water, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard. The incident took place approximately 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale, part of the state of Michigan.

The vessel involved in the collision is the Michipicoten, measuring 689 feet (210 meters) in length. It was carrying taconite, a low-grade iron ore, at the time of the incident. The ship had a total of 22 crew members on board.

As soon as the Coast Guard Great Lakes district was alerted at around 6:53 a.m., water pumps were immediately activated to displace the water. Fortunately, there were no signs of any spilled cargo from the ship. By 9:15 a.m., the water pumps successfully reduced the listing of the freighter from 15 degrees to 5 degrees.

In response to the emergency, helicopter and boat crews were dispatched by the Coast Guard to assist in the situation. By 12:30 p.m., approximately half of the people on board were safely evacuated from the vessel. The remaining crew members stayed behind as the ship made its way to a port for inspection and necessary repairs.

The U.S. Coast Guard has initiated an investigation into the cause of the collision. The incident occurred in the northwest part of Lake Superior, known for its vast size and the U.S.-Canadian border it shares.

This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime transportation, particularly in bodies of water as vast and unpredictable as Lake Superior. The prompt response and effective action taken by the Coast Guard personnel underline their commitment to ensuring the safety of the crew members and minimizing any potential environmental impact.

As investigations continue, the authorities will be working diligently to determine what exactly caused the collision and implement preventive measures to reduce the risk of future incidents in the region.