Passengers Evacuated from Ferry in Straits of Mackinac After Steering Loss

The U.S. Coast Guard and a good samaritan vessel came to the rescue of a Mackinac Island ferry with 144 passengers and four crewmembers aboard lost steering in the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

The Star Line ferry Huron lost steering about 6 p.m. Tuesday and was subsequently unable to deploy its  anchor.

The vessel drifted slowly toward St. Ignace, in no danger of grounding, as Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay, which was breaking ice nearby, diverted to assist. 

A local commercial vessel that also serves Mackinac Island, the Senator, responded as well, meeting the disabled ferry and taking all of its passengers aboard. The passengers were safely transported to St. Ignace, while the four Huron crewmembers stayed aboard their vessel and Katmai Bay stood by while towing arrangements were finalized. 

“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.”