The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards are continuing efforts to free a freighter trapped in the ice on Lake Erie, officials reported on Saturday.
The Manitoulin, a 663-foot (202-meter) Canadian vessel carrying 17 crew members, became stuck in the ice on Wednesday after unloading a cargo of wheat in Buffalo, New York, and was heading back to Canada, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
There were no reports of damage to the ship, and the crew is safe. While ice is a common challenge for freighters in the Great Lakes during winter, sometimes the ice is too thick or hard for ships to break through.
Since Thursday, a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker has been working to assist the Manitoulin, and on Saturday, a second icebreaker joined the efforts. Additionally, the Canadian Coast Guard is providing support with one of its ships.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter has been monitoring the situation, and a third icebreaker from the U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to arrive on Monday if the Manitoulin remains trapped.
