U.S. Coast Guard responds to carrier ship stuck in lake ice near Duluth

Updated April 3, 5:24 p.m.

On the afternoon of Friday, April. 3, a Lake Superior freighter required assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard after becoming stuck in lake ice near Duluth.

According to marinetraffic.com, the Lee A. Tregurtha, a self-discharging bulk carrier, was bound for Marquette, when it became stuck in the ice outside the Duluth Superior Port near the aerial lift bridge. The 251.76 meter long ship was reported stopped on the afternoon of Friday, April 3. The ship’s destination was updated as returning to Duluth around 2:30 p.m.

A report made to Twin Ports news outlet Northern News Now stated that the Coast Guard had been notified, and a request for help had been made. The responding Coast Guard vessel is a buoy layer, according to marinetraffic.com.

Further details on the freighter have not been made available.

Duluth resident Curt Leitz shared a photo of the Lee A. Tregurtha and the responding Coast Guard vessel with WTIP.

Leitz also shared an updated photo shortly after 4:15 p.m. that showed the Lee A. Tregurtha emerging from the ice.

At 5:20 p.m. the Lee A. Tregurtha appeared to be returning to the Duluth Harbor based on the live feed through the Duluth Harbor Lighthouse Cam.

Marinetraffic.com showed the carrier as arrived back at the Duluth Superior Port.

The carrier was visible on the afternoon of April 3 through the Duluth Harbor Lighthouse Cam. The feed showed the arrival of a Coast Guard vessel around 2:45 p.m.

This is an ongoing story.

Kirsten Wisniewski April 3, 2026