On May 27, 2025, the U.S.-flagged bulk carrier American Spirit experienced a close call on the St. Clair River near Port Huron, Michigan, narrowly avoiding a collision with the seawall just below the Blue Water Bridge. The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. local time as the vessel was navigating upstream toward Lake Huron.
Drone footage captured the 1,000-foot (304.8-meter) self-unloading ship veering unusually close to the American shoreline before the crew successfully corrected its course. The strong currents in the area may have contributed to the vessel’s drift toward the riverbank.
Operated by American Steamship Company under Rand Logistics, the American Spirit was built in 1978 and is powered by twin 16-cylinder diesel engines, complemented by a 1,000-horsepower bow thruster to aid in maneuvering.
No injuries or environmental damage were reported following the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard is reviewing the event, and the Michigan Department of Transportation confirmed that the bridge’s structural integrity was never at risk.
This near-miss underscores the challenges of navigating large vessels through narrow and fast-moving waterways, highlighting the importance of vigilant navigation and the potential need for enhanced safety measures in such critical transit areas
