On Saturday 8th June, 2024, at 0653 hrs Canada Time the US Coast Guard (USCG) received a distress call from the 1952 built self discharging bulk carrier MICHIPICOTEN with 22 crew onboard that she collided with something underwater on Lake Superior and is taking on water.
The bulker is approximately 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale. USCG dispatched 2 Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk Helicopters serial as 6007 and 6008.
According to the USCG, the bulker is loaded with taconite cargo which is a variety of banded iron formation, an iron-bearing (over 15% iron) sedimentary rock, in which the iron minerals are interlayered with quartz, chert, or carbonate of which no spillage was done.
The ship reportedly has pumps on board to remove some of the water coming on of which around 1130 hrs Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) stated that pumps operating onboard the bulker have reduced the listing from 15 degrees to a 5-degree tilt. Meanwhile half of the crew of which they are all safe has since been removed from the vessel for safety.
Sending my thoughts and prayers to the crew and families of the MICHIPICOTEN
To Be Continued……
