A Mackinac Island ferry suffered mechanical issues and went adrift in the Straits of Mackinac on Tuesday, 5th of April.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the ferry had 144 passengers and 4 crewmembers on board when it lost steering at about 6 p.m. while on its way from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace, Mich.
As informed, following this situation, the ferry was unable to deploy its anchor. The Coast Guard said that the 1950s-built vessel drifted slowly in open water toward St. Ignace. Thankfully it was not in distress or in danger of grounding.
Arnold Freight Line’s Senator, a local commercial vessel that also serves Mackinac Island, took aboard all of the passengers of the disabled vessels and transported them to St. Ignace.
It was reported that the 4 Huron crewmembers stayed on board their vessel and Katmai Bay stood by while towing arrangements were being executed.
Tonight’s incident can serve as a reminder that life on the Great Lakes is far from predictable
…said Lt. Tyler Carslgaard of Sector Sault Ste. Marie.
Fortunately good cooperation and simple precautions like making sure everyone on board was wearing a life jacket helped everyone get home safely
…Lt. Tyler Carslgaard concluded.
