A 70-year-old Wisconsin man died following an incident while scuba diving in Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park. The National Park Service identified the diver as John Nousaine from Superior, Wisconsin. Nousaine was exploring the SS Emperor shipwreck, a 525-foot steel bulk freighter that sank in 1947 and rests between 100 and 150 feet underwater.
The incident occurred on Thursday around 1 p.m. as Nousaine, along with other divers from a private vessel, was diving near the stern section of the shipwreck. The divers reported the accident to law enforcement promptly after it happened, though details about the nature of the accident remain undisclosed.
The Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office and medical examiner are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Nousaine’s death. Authorities have confirmed that his family has been notified. The Emperor shipwreck, one of the most significant and recent large-scale shipwrecks near Isle Royale, continues to attract divers due to its historical significance and challenging depths.
