Damaged cargo ship arrives in Thunder Bay after taking on water near Isle Royale

The 689-foot Michipicoten arrived safely at Thunder Bay Harbor Saturday afternoon after the vessel began taking on water 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale Saturday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the ship struck something underwater just before 7 a.m.

Pumps were used to move “some of the water entering the spaces,” according to the USCG.

The ship is carrying taconite. At last report, there were no signs of a spill, according to authorities.

At approximately 8:15 a.m., “pumps operating aboard the M/V MICHIPICOTEN reduced the ship's tilt from the initially reported 15 degrees to 5 degrees,” the USCG reported.

Half of the 22-person crew were removed from the ship for safety reasons, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Omar Faba, before its journey to Thunder Bay began. He said the bulk carrier would be inspected and repaired once in port.

The Edwin H. Gott was alongside the Michipicoten, and vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard, Border Patrol and National Park Service were assisting, according to Faba.