Bulk Carrier Closely Avoids Hitting Blue Water Bridge Linking U.S. And Canada

A 1000-foot Great Lakes Freighter avoided disaster as it came dangerously close to colliding with a seawall under a bridge which connects the U.S and Canada.

The incident unfolded on May 27, 2025, when M/V American Spirit veered close to the western shores of the St. Clair River beneath the Blue Water Bridge linking Port Huron with Sarnia, Ontario.

Videos circulating online show the vessel sailing towards the Michigan side of the riverbank at 1:45 p.m. Fortunately, the ship corrected its course at the right time and avoided hitting the Blue Water Bridge.

Lt. Phillip Gurtler from the U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District said they were looking into the situation and were aware of what happened.

The U.S.-flagged ship is a self-loading bulk carrier operated by American Seamship Company, owned by Rand Logistics.

Jocelyn Garza, spokesperson of the Michigan Department of Transportation, said that it was a close call, but the bridge was not in danger of being hit, considering the freighter’s height and distance between the pier and seawall.

Garza added that the bridge does not have piers in water, and even if the freighter crashed into the seawall, it is unlikely that the pier would be seriously damaged.

However, the investigation is ongoing to determine why the freighter took a dangerous course.

References: MLive, Nautical Voice

Source: Maritime Shipping News