MV Robert S. Pierson

In 2008, the vessel and two sister ships, the David Z. Norton and the Earl W. Oglebay were acquired by Grand River Navigation, for $20 million.

Grand River then sold the Wolverine to its Canadian partner, Lower Lakes Towing of Port Dover, Ontario.

The Holland Sentinel, commenting on the sale, reported that the change of ownership to Canadian hands would prevent the vessel from visiting Holland, Michigan, formerly a major port of call, "as U.S. cabotage laws limit the ability of foreign-flagged vessels to make deliveries here.

"[3] The vessel was not built to seawaymax dimensions, she was specifically designed to navigate "Cleveland's winding Cuyahoga River".

On March 20, 2017, the Pierson was the first ship upbound in the Welland Canal, and the captain received the Top Hat at the Lock 3 Centre in St Catharines, Ontario.