Commercial shipping traffic is at a standstill near the U.S. Canada border following an accident early Thursday in the St. Mary's River. This is the only passage way that connects vessels from Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
There are no reported injuries, and initial reports say nothing spilled into the water after the American Mariner, a 714-foot bulk carrier, rammed into a light tower that marks the shipping channel.
Lt. Joseph Snyder is a public affairs officer with the Coast Guard. He said the ship is in stable condition, but it's unclear how and when it will be moved.
"The Coast Guard is collaborating with the vessel right now to determine the extent of the of the damages and determine what the best course of action is for them," Snyder said.
The St. Mary's River will remain closed until the ship is safely moved out of the channel located in Munuscong Lake. 90% of the nation's iron passes through this section of the Great Lakes.
