Efforts to rescue a Canadian freighter trapped in the icy grip of Lake Erie have been ongoing as the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards join forces to break through the frozen waters. The Manitoulin, a 663-foot vessel carrying 17 crew members, found itself immobilized in the ice after delivering a shipment of wheat in Buffalo, New York. Despite the challenging conditions, the freighter remains intact, and its crew members are confirmed to be safe. In a display of international cooperation, the U.S. Coast Guard has deployed an icebreaking ship to assist since Thursday, with a second vessel arriving on the scene to aid in the rescue operation. The Canadian Coast Guard has also mobilized a ship to join the efforts to free the Manitoulin from its icy confines. Helicopter surveillance has been implemented to monitor the situation closely, while plans are in place for a third U.S. Coast Guard ship to arrive as a backup measure should the freighter remain trapped beyond the current efforts.
