Freighter Trapped in Lake Erie Ice

A massive freighter has become trapped in Lake Erie's thick ice amid the deep freeze running through the United States.

The 663-foot Canadian freighter Manitouli had just delivered a load of wheat on Wednesday and was making its way to Sarnia, Ontario, Newsweek reported Saturday. But in the midst of its return voyage, the ship became ensnared in the thick ice of the Great Lake.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bristol Bay has been working to free the vessel, though progress has been slow due to the sustained cold temperatures fluctuating between 15°F and -1°F. The 17-member crew remains safe with adequate supplies, and the ship has sustained no damage.

The Arctic polar vortex, responsible for record-breaking winter weather across the U.S., has made this year’s ice thicker and more challenging than recent winters. Paul Angelillo, a Coast Guard rescue specialist, noted, "We just haven't had a bad winter in quite a while. So now that we've had one and people haven't seen this for a bit, they're like 'what's going on?'"

Efforts to free the ship and crew are underway.

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