Blue-Marlin Vessel Reviews and Specifications

In a significant development, the Nigerian-registered tug 'Charis' and its crew of ten have been freed by the Government of Equatorial Guinea after being wrongfully detained for alleged piracy. The vessel was arrested on May 7, following suspicions related to its involvement in an attack on the 'Blue Marlin' off the coast of Malabo on May 5. The tug had previously come under pirate attack on the same day as the Spanish vessel but was detained for a total of 15 days despite promptly sending a distress signal and presenting documents confirming their legitimate maritime operations. The timely intervention of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Toko Ali Gongulong, alongside Defence Attaché Navy Captain Olaseyi Oladipo, played a crucial role in securing the crew's release. Following the pirate incident, the tug's captain sent a distress call that attracted the attention of a Spanish Navy team, who responded swiftly but could not apprehend the assailants as they fled the scene. After the tug was escorted by the Equatorial Guinea Navy to Malabo, it faced confinement alongside its crew under tight security at police facilities, mistaken for being accomplices to the pirates. Ambassador Gongulong, with support from the Defence Attaché, Consular Officer, and officials from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), successfully advocated for the crew's return to safety. The tug 'Charis' now resumes its rightful operations following this harrowing incident.

On May 5, 2019, the heavy lift vessel 'Blue Marlin' became the target of seven heavily armed pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, situated southwest of Luba port at coordinates 03 00 N 007 50 E. The ship had just departed Luba that morning after unloading its cargo and was en route to Valetta when the attack occurred at noon. In response to the emergency, the ship's master activated the SSAS (Ship Security Alert System), prompting all 20 crew members to take refuge in the onboard citadel. Despite the pirates demanding that the crew surrender valuables through the ship's PA system, the crew steadfastly remained secure in their citadel. The pirates, attempting to breach their defenses, fired through a hole into the citadel but fortunately failed to injure any crew members. The distress call triggered a swift response from the Operations and Surveillance Center of the Spanish Navy (COVAM), which dispatched the 'Serviola - P 71,' a patrol boat engaged in an international security mission in the Gulf of Guinea, to the scene of the hijacking. On the morning of May 6, a specialized operation team successfully boarded the 'Blue Marlin' with the assistance of two helicopters from Equatorial Guinea, along with a naval vessel from both Equatorial Guinea and the Spanish Navy, part of the MDAT-GoG mission. Upon searching the vessel, the boarding team discovered that the pirates had fled, and the crew was safely rescued from the citadel, reporting good health. It was reported that the pirates had fired several rounds during the ordeal and inflicted significant damage to the ship’s bridge, rendering the 'Blue Marlin' unfit for sailing. The vessel ultimately anchored approximately 40 miles offshore of Equatorial Guinea in international waters. For more detailed information and photos, visit: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/spanish-navy-rescues-boskalis-heavy-lift-ship-from-pirates.

On Monday, the much-anticipated arrival of the Vigorous, soon to be the largest floating drydock in the United States, took place as it journeyed up the Willamette River to reach Portland. Transported by the heavy-lift semi-submersible vessel Blue Marlin, the Vigorous is set to become a key asset at Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard. When fully assembled, this colossal drydock will stretch an impressive 960 feet, surpassing three times the height of the Statue of Liberty, and boast a remarkable capacity of 80,000 tons—marking its status as the largest in the nation. Designed in accordance with the stringent standards prescribed by the US Navy’s MIL-STD 1625D and the American Bureau of Shipping, the Vigorous is emblematic of advanced maritime engineering. Vigor Industrial is investing over $50 million in this project, which will enable maintenance and repairs on a wide range of vessels, including cruise ships, tankers, and cargo ships. Notably, two Maritime Administration cargo ships are already lined up for repairs when the drydock officially goes into operation this November. The Vigorous has been designed by Heger Dry Dock, a U.S. firm, and constructed by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries in Jiangsu Province, China. The intricate delivery process aboard the Blue Marlin involves transporting the drydock in three separate pieces, setting the stage for an exciting chapter in Portland’s maritime industry.