ROBERT S. PIERSON

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Bulk carrier troubled on St. Mary's River

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.

Bulk carrier lost rudder

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.

Engine failure in Ontario

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.