Freighter and Tug Rescued from Lake Erie Ice
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A large freighter and a commercial tug were successfully freed from thick ice on Lake Erie near Fairport Harbor on Thursday. The vessels had become trapped while navigating towards their winter berth, highlighting the challenges posed by severe winter conditions in the Great Lakes region.
Stranded in Ice: The Rescue Operation
The Sam Laud, a 635-foot bulk carrier, encountered significant ice problems during its journey from Cleveland to Ashtabula, marking the end of the Great Lakes shipping season. Reports from meteorologist Ryan Wichman indicated that the freighter was forced to halt its progress overnight as ice rapidly thickened across western Lake Erie. In response to the situation, the commercial tug Kimberly Joy was dispatched from the Detroit River to assist the stranded vessel.
On Thursday morning, the two vessels managed to make some progress together, breaking ice in short sections. However, they soon became stuck again in heavy ice north of the Fairport Harbor shoreline. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay, an icebreaking tug specifically assigned to the Great Lakes, was called in to assist in the rescue operation. By Thursday afternoon, the Coast Guard vessel successfully freed both the Sam Laud and the Kimberly Joy, escorting them through the treacherous ice toward Ashtabula.
Tracking data from MarineTraffic confirmed that the Sam Laud was back in motion by approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, following the Coast Guard’s intervention. The freighter ultimately reached Ashtabula late Thursday night after a challenging journey through some of the thickest ice on Lake Erie.
Severe Ice Conditions on Lake Erie
During the incident, ice coverage on Lake Erie exceeded 95%, with thickness reaching up to 12 inches in ridged areas. These conditions were attributed to prolonged subzero temperatures and wind-driven pressure, creating a hazardous environment for navigation. Despite the challenging circumstances, Wichman reported that there was no indication the crews aboard the vessels were in immediate danger at any point, based on observations from the shoreline and vessel tracking data.
The Sam Laud is a U.S.-flagged bulk carrier designed to unload its own cargo and measures nearly 70 feet in width. The Bristol Bay, a 140-foot icebreaking tug operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, plays a crucial role in maintaining icebound shipping lanes on the Great Lakes. In addition to its primary mission, the vessel is also involved in search and rescue operations, environmental protection, law enforcement, and port security missions.
