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Minnesota News
Anika Besst
Updated:

One-half of crew evacuated from Lake Superior freighter after it flooded

The 689-foot ship carrying taconite is now docked in Thunder Bay

A ship in the lake
The freighter Michipicoten leaves Duluth under the Aerial Lift Bridge in November 2018.
Andrew Kreuger | MPR News

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The Michipicoten, a 689-foot freighter traveling on Lake Superior, has safely anchored in Thunder Bay, Ontario after some of the crew had to be removed as a precaution.

The vessel was filled with approximately 16 tons of taconite when it began to take on water on Saturday after possibly colliding with something underwater. The Michipicoten had left the port at Two Harbors en route to Thunder Bay.

No injuries or spills were reported, though 11 members of crew were removed from the vessel earlier today as a safety precaution.

Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Joseph Snyder said the agency watched the vessel from two helicopters in case the crew needed to be evacuated and “that did end up being the case.”

The cause of the flooding remains unknown and will be investigated while at Thunder Bay, Coast Guard officials said.

Snyder said now that it’s anchored the ship will “begin more thorough damage assessments and investigation” into the flooding.

The Michipicoten is a self-discharging bulk carrier that was built in 1952. It started mainly hauling iron ore from Duluth or Superior to ports on the lower Great Lakes, according to the ship’s owner.

The U.S. Coast Guard received the initial report around 7 a.m. Saturday when the vessel was about 35 miles off the coast of Isle Royale National Park.

“Serious situation on Lake Superior,” said Gov. Tim Walz in a tweet. “We’re working with local officials and making state resources available. Thank you to the Coast Guard and first responders working to keep everyone safe.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the ship’s destination.