TWO HARBORS, Minn. — A 689-foot bulk carrier suffered a 13-foot crack, but it remains unclear what may have caused the damage, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Pettey Officer Christopher Yaw confirmed the damage on Monday, adding that the crew aboard the Michipicoten heard a loud bang Saturday morning near Isle Royale in Lake Superior before discovering water coming into the ship.
According to posts on social media, at 6:53 a.m., USCG got a report from the crew that they "allided," or struck, something underwater and was taking on water. The vessel was approximately 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale at that point.
Yaw said Monday that it's still under investigation.
"We realized that we could not confirm whether or not it struck a submerged object and at this stage, we don't have any more information available than that," Lieutenant Joseph Snyder with the USCG said on Saturday.
The vessel was carrying taconite and leaving Two Harbors.
Officials said in a press release that half of the ship's 22-person crew had been removed for safety as the bulk carrier headed to a nearby port for inspections and repair.
"No injuries have been reported, there have also not been any reports of pollution," Lt. Snyder said.
The cause of the flooding and other damage to the ship will be investigated once the situation is stabilized, said officials.
USCG reported the Edwin H. Gott, a bulk carrier, is currently alongside the craft and the U.S. Coast Guard, Border Patrol and National Park Service vessels remain actively involved.
Lt. Snyder says the Michipicoten is now docked in Thunder Bay and they're grateful this situation avoided disaster.
"Really working across three states and an international boundary, and that's what it takes to get a good result, and we're really happy with the result that we have right now," Lt. Snyder said.
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