A freighter traveling from Buffalo, New York to Canada found itself trapped in the icy grip of Lake Erie for several days before being successfully freed by a joint effort involving U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers. The Manitoulin, a 663-foot Canadian vessel carrying 17 crew members, became stuck in the ice on Lake Erie after unloading a shipment of wheat in Buffalo and was en route back to Canada.
Despite the challenging conditions, the ship emerged unscathed, and all crew members were reported safe. It is not uncommon for freighters navigating the Great Lakes during winter to encounter surface ice, but occasionally they encounter ice that proves too formidable to navigate through.
The U.S. Coast Guard deployed an icebreaking vessel to assist the Manitoulin on Thursday, with additional support arriving on Saturday to aid in the rescue operation. The Canadian Coast Guard also contributed a ship to the effort, collectively guiding the freighter through over 20 miles of ice-covered waters until it reached open water on Saturday night.
Following its release, the Manitoulin is now bound for Sarnia, Ontario, where it will remain for the remainder of the winter. While there are still icy patches along the route, another Coast Guard cutter is on standby to ensure the safe passage of the freighter through the remaining frozen sections of Lake Erie and the Detroit and St. Clair rivers.
To monitor the situation closely, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter conducted surveillance flights at the scene, with a third Coast Guard ship scheduled to arrive on Monday as a precautionary measure in case the Manitoulin encountered further difficulties.
