Blue-Ocean-A

The 'Blue Ocean A' was detained in Cagliari on Feb 4, after inspections in the follow-up of the near grounding incident, during which numerous serious deficiencies were discovered, preventing its departure. On the whole, 54 defiencies were identified, 30 of which were being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention. The critical issues concerned the fire extinguishing systems, the rescue equipment, parts of the bridge equipment, the crew's level of training in emergency management, and the living and working conditions on board. The ship had to remain in port until minimum safety standards are restored and a further inspection has been carried out. Its prior inspections in 2025 had found a few issues, including hull corrosion and issues with the steering gear, but the list of issues was short, and the vessel was not detained. Report with photo: https://www.unionesarda.it/de/sardinien/schwere-unregelmasigkeiten-an-bord-die-blue-ocean-a-liegt-im-hafen-von-cagliari-fest-oh4w5nh3

The 'Blue Ocean A', with 33 crew members on board, suffered an engine failure on the night of Jan 28, 2026. Due to strong westerly winds, the vessel began drifting dangerously toward the southwest coast of San Pietro Island, risking crashing into the rocks of Punta Spalmatore di Fuori. in Carloforte, off the southwest coast of Sardinia. Winds were gusting to 40 knots, and the wave heights were about five meters. The livestock carrier was enroute from Aqaba to Cartagena without cargo. Units from the Carloforte Port Authority responded initially, and were then taken over by the Cagliari Coast Guard, which coordinated the dispatch of the patrol boats 'CP 869' from Carloforte and 'CP 812' from Sant'Antioco, as well as the tug 'Portesvine' (IMO: 8718304), which was deployed from Portovesme. The bad weather conditions significantly hampered the operation:, and Initial towing attempts failed due to the breakage of four cables, necessitating the intervention of a larger tug from the port of Sarroch. The ship managed to drop anchor only 100 metres from the cliffs, in pos. 39°36'28.02'' N 008°14'39.26'' E., and it was saved by the still deep water in that area. At the most critical moment, as the stern approached the rocks, the captain requested the possible evacuation of the crew. The Operations Room dispatched an AW139 helicopter from the Coast Guard's 4th Helicopter Section and an AW139 helicopter from the Italian Air Force from Decimomannu, however, the evacuation was prevented by the ship's severe rolling and pitching. The crew remained on board, but gathered on the upper deck as of 10.30 p.m. Another attempt was started to move the vessel to calmer waters in the Gulf of Palmas. During the night, the tug 'Vincenzino O.' (IMO: 9855719), deployed from Cagliari, also arrived at the 'Blue Ocean A' and stabiilized it. Early on Jan 29, the 'Portesvine' held the ship in pos. 38° 56' N 008° 23' E. By first light, the situation was under control, though still difficult due to the poor weather and sea conditions. The ship was to be towed to the port of Sant'Antioco, escorted by a Coast Guard patrol boat. Since the afternoon of Jan 29, it was in waiting pos. off Cagliari in pos. 38° 59' N 008° 3 E with the 'Vincencino O.' alongside. Reports with photo and video: https://www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/sulcis-iglesiente/emergenza-nella-notte-nave-carica-di-bestiame-in-avaria-davanti-a-carloforte-ngj4sp1x https://www.unionesarda.it/multimedia/cronaca-sardegna/la-blue-ocean-in-rotta-verso-il-golfo-di-palmas-cps6xjiq?fbclid=IwY2xjawPoA4lleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeV4pbdzVMdPm2erXDuoPYR2r9v8CLY5cZrv_vQRmV-QgxSC1CE2Kd3WMwDLw_aem_Ys7zoEx0Mm8WeLmf-V2TRw https://www.shippingitaly.it/2026/01/29/nave-portabestiame-in-avaria-e-soccorsa-a-pochi-metri-dagli-scogli-a-carloforte-video/ https://twitter.com/i/status/2016873103159165049

On Apr 12, 2016, the NSRI East London duty crew were placed on alert by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for medical assistance from the "Ocean Blue A", sailing from Iraq to Cape Town, reporting a 42 year old crewman onboard suffering a suspected heart attack. The ship was nearing East London and at 3.30 a.m. on Apr 13th the NSRI East London launched the sea rescue craft "Spirit of Lotto", accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic, and rendezvoused with the "Ocean Blue A" five nautical miles off East London in calm seas. The patient was found to be in a stable condition and suffering a suspected mild heart attack and he was taken onboard the sea rescue craft and brought to the sea rescue station in the Port of East London and he has been transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition and the ship has carried on her voyage to Cape Town. Report with photos: http://www.nsri.org.za/2016/04/red-distress-flare-mouille-point-patient-evacuated-off-ship-east-london/