The John-J-Boland: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a troubling incident on October 10, 2025, at approximately 9 a.m., the Sarnia Traffic Control informed nearby ships of an engine malfunction affecting the bulk carrier 'John J. Boland.' The vessel, which was on its way from Sault Ste. Marie to Toledo, experienced engine difficulties in the lower region of Lake St. Clair. To prevent further complications, the ship dropped anchor near light 1, situated on the channel's right side. The downbound vessel 'Walter J. McCarthy' then proceeded through Lake St. Clair, albeit at a reduced pace due to the incident. To aid in the situation, the experienced tugs 'Minnesota' (MMSI: 368343820) and 'Ohio' (MMSI: 368067780) were dispatched to offer their assistance. By 10:30 a.m., these tugs successfully took the 'John J. Boland' under tow, guiding it downbound toward Detroit. The convoy finally reached its destination on October 12, ensuring the safe transport of the affected ship.

On April 21, 2023, the 'John J. Boland' faced a grounding incident in Lake Huron, stemming from inadequate guidance on underkeel clearance from its operating company, according to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on August 6, 2024. The vessel ran aground twice while attempting to complete its final loading operations at Port Dolomite, Michigan. Following the incident, the crew discovered significant flooding and damage to the hull, leading to repair costs exceeding $775,000. The vessel's crew had aimed to load 30,000 tons of three aggregate stone types. The first mate devised a loading plan by referencing previous plans and using the ship's loading and stability software, along with the operating company's draft guidance spreadsheet. The loading plan mandated that the drafts of the 'John J. Boland' not exceed 26 feet 8 inches. However, the first mate held the misconception that the draft guidance included a safety factor for additional underkeel clearance above the shoal, an assumption that ultimately proved erroneous. The NTSB emphasized that the operating company's safety management system lacked sufficient protocols for developing load plans that ensured minimum underkeel clearances during loading operations. This inadequacy in guidance was a critical factor in the miscalculation of the vessel's draft. Moreover, the master’s decision to use the main engine to extricate the vessel after the second grounding further exacerbated the hull damage. Initially, the crew attempted to move the vessel using mooring lines to free it after the first grounding, but upon resuming loading, the vessel likely incurred additional pressure against the shoal. As the vessel was prepared to depart, the master opted to back off the dock using the main engine, causing the hull to scrape against the lakebed. This combination of faulty guidance and operational decisions highlights the importance of adherence to safety protocols in maritime operations.

As the 2018 Great Lakes shipping season neared its January 15 conclusion, an early onset of ice across Lake Erie posed challenges for maritime operations. On January 3 and 4, the U.S. Coast Guard deployed its 140-foot icebreakers, the 'Neah Bay' and 'Morro Bay,' to assist vessels ensnared in ice within western Lake Erie and the St. Clair River. The frigid temperatures significantly accelerated ice formation on Lake Erie, leading to the entrapment of multiple commercial vessels, including the 'John J. Boland,' 'Hon. Paul J. Martin,' 'Indiana Harbor,' and 'James R. Barker.' The 'John J. Boland' found itself immobilized in western Lake Erie late on January 1 and was successfully freed by the Morro Bay around 8:45 a.m. on January 3. Similarly, the 'Indiana Harbor' encountered ice in the Middle Channel of the St. Clair River on January 2 but was promptly released by the Neah Bay. The 'Hon. Paul J. Martin' also became trapped in western Lake Erie on January 2 and was freed by the Morro Bay. The 'James R. Barker' faced a double entrapment, first being freed in western Lake Erie by the tug 'Calusa Coast,' only to become stuck again before being rescued once more by the Morro Bay.