Robert-S.-Pierson

The 'Robert S. Pierson' became stuck on Nov 26, 2025, at around 10:30 p.m. on the Detroit River in front of William Milliken State Park, in 24 feet of water about 30 feet from the breakwater, fully loaded with over 18,000 tons of stone. The vessel became stuck shortly after leaving Windsor on its way to Lorain, Ohio. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified on Nov 27 around 1:15 a.m. of the incident. It was working with the operators to review a refloating plan.The two tugs 'Minnesota' (MMSI: 368343820) und 'Ontario' (IMO: 8980878) were deployed from Ohio and Minnesota and worked throughout the night to refloat the ship from the mud. It was finally freed on Nov 27 at noon and taken to a berth for inspections. It left Detroit on Nov 28 and berthed in Sarnia on Nov 30. On Nov 7, the 'Paul J. Martin' ran aground in the same area near the Renaissance Center. Reports with photos and video: https://www.wxyz.com/news/freighter-runs-aground-in-detroit-river-on-thanksgiving-day https://www.wxyz.com/news/freighter-runs-aground-in-detroit-river-on-thanksgiving-day

On Aug 3, 2025, the "Robert S. Pierson", which has been sailing downstream on the St. Marys River en route from Sault Ste. Mrie to Saginaw at only four knots since leaving the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, has anchored at the exact spot where the stricken "Presque Isle" was just a few hours ago. The ship was being escorted or towed downstream by the "W. I. Scott Purvis" (IMO: 5264819) heading for Saginaw. The "Presque Isle" is likely docked at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair in Erie, PA, for repairs. The cause was a grounding on the morning of July 30 at Johnson Point on Neebish Island.

On Oct 13, the 'Robert S. Pearson' lost its rudder after having departed the Algoma Steel en route Two Harbors on near Gros Cap. The ship dropped anchor in Goulais Bay, above the Soo Locks on the Canadian side, until Oct 19, and then headed for Superior, WI, and most likely to the Fraser Shipyards, assisted by the tug 'Avenger IV (IMO: 5401297), with an ETA as of Oct 22.

The 'Robert S. Pierson' suffered a failure of one of its main engines while transiting the Lake Erie 5,67 miles south-southwest of Port Colborne, Ontario, in position 42 47 30 N, 079 18 28.2 W on Jan 3, 2020, at noon. The vessel later continued its voyage with reduced propulsive power and reached Detroit on Jan 7 at 2.40 a.m.

The "Robert S. Pierson" suffered a total failure of the main engine in the Welland Canal near Port Colborne, Ontario, on July 16, 2019. The vessel continued its voyage using the second main engine. On July 19 it sailed from Clarkson to Colborne, ETA July 21.