ICYMI: 663-Foot Freighter with Crew of 17 Stuck in Lake Erie’s Ice After Leaving Buffalo
A 663-foot freighter with 17 crew members was trapped in the freezing waters of Lake Erie outside Buffalo, New York. 🌐 #News #BuffaloNY #NewYork #Accident
BUFFALO, NY – A massive Canadian freighter, the 663-foot Manitoulin, became trapped in thick ice on Lake Erie after departing Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday. The dramatic rescue effort, involving the U.S. Coast Guard, has captivated attention as sub-zero temperatures create treacherous conditions off the Buffalo shoreline. With 17 crew members aboard, the vessel remained immobilized as icebreakers struggled to free it from the rapidly forming sheets of ice.
Ice Blocks Freighter’s Path After Wheat Delivery
The Manitoulin had just delivered a load of wheat to Buffalo before setting out for Sarnia, Ontario. Shortly after its departure, plummeting temperatures caused ice to thicken quickly on Lake Erie, leaving the ship unable to navigate further.
While the freighter is designed to break ice once it gains enough speed, it has been unable to reach the necessary momentum due to the density of the surrounding ice.
Coast Guard Breaks Ice to Assist Stranded Vessel
On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Eastern Great Lakes deployed the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay to break through the ice surrounding the stranded freighter. Despite the cutter’s efforts, the Manitoulin only shifted slightly by evening, with thick ice continuing to impede its movement.
Rescue operations resumed Friday as the Coast Guard works to carve a navigable path for the ship.
“The crew aboard the Manitoulin is well-supplied and safe,” the Coast Guard reported, reassuring the public that there is no immediate danger to those on board.
Unpredictable Ice Formation Complicates Rescue
According to Paul Angelillo, a civilian search and rescue specialist with the Coast Guard, the situation isn’t unusual for this time of year, though it remains challenging.
“It’s not uncommon for this to happen when we have significant ice development,” said Angelillo.
He explained that the speed at which ice forms, the extreme cold, and the strength of the ice all contribute to the difficulty of freeing the ship.
“It’s just the characteristics of ice, how cold it gets, how quick it freezes, the integrity of the ice—there’s a whole bunch of stuff that goes into it,” Angelillo added.
“It’s certainly not the first ship we’ve seen be calmed in ice in this area.”
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents | Canada | Great Lakes | New York
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Your opinion matters! Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We love hearing from you!
