The 689-foot cargo ship struck an underwater obstacle on Lake Superior near Grand Portage, Minnesota, on Saturday morning and began taking on water, forcing about half of the 22 people on board to evacuate, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Missipicoten, carrying a cargo of taconite, a low-grade iron ore, was about 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale, which is part of the state of Michigan, when it began flooding.
The Coast Guard said there was no sign anything had leaked into the water from the ship as pumps on board were working to remove water and reduce the vessel’s list from 15 degrees to five degrees.
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The 689-foot-long cargo ship (right) struck an underwater obstacle in Lake Superior on Saturday morning and began taking on water, forcing about half of the 22 people on board to evacuate, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. (Jeff Leach via Facebook)
The Missipicoten was heading to port for repairs, alongside the bulk carrier Edwin H. Gott.
An underwater explorer has been found dead in Lake Erie while diving on a newly discovered shipwreck, authorities said.
The Missipicoten (right) heads to port for repairs alongside the bulk carrier Edwin H. Gott (left). (Jeff Leach via Facebook)
U.S. Coast Guard, Border Patrol and National Park Service vessels remain actively involved, according to the Coast Guard.
The cause of the collision is currently under investigation.
Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by area. (Brian Peterson/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
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The crash happened in the northwestern part of the lake, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border and is the world’s largest freshwater lake by area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
