The crew of a Canada-bound cargo ship were lifted to safety by rescue helicopters today after it nearly capsized south of Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Singapore-based Cougar Ace, a Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ship carrying 4,813 vehicles, issued a distress call on Sunday after it began taking on water in the North Pacific.
The cause of the mishap was not known.
The US Coast Guard said two helicopters were needed to remove the 23 crew members from the vessel.
The crew, one of whom had suffered a broken leg, were taken to Alaska and were reported to be in good condition.
The ship left Japan on July 22, and was scheduled to arrive at Fraser River Port, near Vancouver, on Friday, officials said.
Photographs from the scene, about 230 miles south of the Aleutian Island chain, showed that the 654-foot ship had rolled almost entirely on to its side.