putinbay.com is proud to present the following article from the Put-in-Bay Gazette. For the best South Bass Island journalism, visit putinbay.news and subscribe to the Gazette today!
The cruise ship Goodtime I out of Sandusky ran aground on Buckeye reef between Ballast Island and Buckeye off South Bass Island’s East Point, late on Thursday afternoon, June 26th. This was the first day of the ship’s seasonal island-hopping cruises between Sandusky and Put-in-Bay this year.
According to Lt. Kyle Rivera, Coast Guard Sector Detroit’s public affairs officer, six crew members and 107 passengers were on board at the time.
The Sonny-S interrupted her schedule to transport two full loads of passengers off the vessel to Middle Bass. There were no injuries reported.
Put-in-Bay Quick Links
- Things To Do At Put-in-Bay
- 2025 Put-in-Bay Event Calendar
- Our Favorite Places To Eat At PIB
- Put-in-Bay Ferry Service
The boat turned slightly from its original position on the reef because one of the Jet Express boats made a few high speed passes close to it to create waves that might rock the Goodtime off the reef. That didn’t get off, but did move and turn a bit.
The Goodtime I did not take on any water and did not leak any polluting substances into the lake.
Reportedly, another attempt was scheduled for the next day, Friday. It involved lightening the ship in the hopes of freeing it. Crews from Marblehead Station and the Toledo Marine Safety Unit will supervise the operation. Rescue Marine from Marblehead was also involved.
putinbay.com Top Lodging Picks For 2025 At The Bay
- Island Club Rentals (islandclub.com) – 216-898-9951
- Commodore Resort (commodoreresort.com) – 419-285-3101
- Bird’s Nest Resort (birdsnestresort.com) – 419-285-6119
- Put-in-Bay Condos (putinbaycondos.com) 216-898-1105
- Victory Station Hotel (putinbayvictorystation.com) 419-285-0120
As of the afternoon, the Goodtime was still stuck on Buckeye Reef. A Pride cruise scheduled for Friday night had to be canceled due to the grounding. About 10 p.m. on Friday night, the Goodtime was freed after its fuel was removed. It then made her own way to Port Clinton to be pulled and inspected.
Island Air Taxi posted aerial photos of the Goodtime stuck on the reef on their Facebook page.
Somebody rumored that the Goodtime had a new captain who was on his first run. Interesting if true, but who was at the helm and what exactly happened could not be confirmed before press time. We’re betting the reef shifted into the channel over the winter.
To subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette please visit their website by clicking here.
