A Canadian cargo ship that spent three days stuck in thick ice on Lake Erie has finally been freed, thanks to a rescue mission by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards. The 663-foot-long freighter, named the Manitoulin, got trapped just a mile off the Buffalo shoreline on Wednesday after delivering a load of wheat.

The ship’s 17-member crew was never in serious danger, but the unusual sight of the massive vessel immobilized in ice drew plenty of attention. Locals and boating enthusiasts flocked to the shore to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.

“It’s so strange to see something that big just stuck there,” said Karen Taylor, one of the onlookers. “We’re used to ice on the lake, but not like this.”

The Manitoulin was finally dislodged on Saturday afternoon after ice-breaking ships worked to clear a path. While ships getting stuck in ice isn’t unheard of in the Great Lakes, the Manitoulin’s close proximity to land and its lengthy stay made it a unique event.

For many, the scene brought to mind dramatic tales of maritime disasters. “My heart goes out to the crew,” said Barb Fleissner, another spectator. “It’s hard not to think about what they must have been going through.”

The ship is now on its way back to its home port in Sarnia, Ontario, leaving behind a story that’s sure to be talked about for years to come.