Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Boka-Vanguard

In the early hours of March 1, 2024, a daring theft took place aboard the 'Boka Vanguard', which was anchored at Pulau Batam (position 1° 11.6' N, 103° 59' E). At approximately 2:10 a.m., four armed individuals, wielding knives, boarded the vessel and successfully made off with a welding cable. The incident has raised concerns about security measures in busy maritime areas.

A tragic incident has unfolded aboard the 'Boka Vanguard', where a Chinese contractor employee lost their life after consuming a toxic cleaning product. Six Brazilian contractor workers reportedly ingested a degreasing detergent, suspected to contain a dangerous mix of ethanol and methanol. Symptoms of poisoning took 36 hours to surface, prompting the crew to alert Boskalis personnel. In response, the vessel altered its course towards the South African coast while coordinating a helicopter for a medical evacuation. Unfortunately, one individual succumbed to the effects of the poisoning before help could arrive. Fortunately, the remaining five were successfully evacuated and are now receiving treatment in Durban, South Africa, where they are on the path to recovery. Boskalis has reiterated its commitment to safety, stating a firm zero tolerance policy regarding alcohol on its offshore operations.

A maritime incident unfolded on January 7, 2020, at approximately 09:30 a.m., as essential rescue teams were mobilized to provide urgent medical assistance to Brazilian crew members aboard the 'Petrobras 70.' This ship was being transported by the 'Boka Vanguard' as it made its way from China to Rio de Janeiro, nearing the shores of Durban. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban, alongside Netcare 911 ambulance services and the South African Air Force (SAAF), were alerted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to assist with the emergency. Tragically, one crew member had sustained fatal injuries, but at the captain’s request, his body was left onboard the vessel. In response, the MRCC deployed a Western Cape Government Health EMS duty doctor to guide the ship’s medical team while it altered its course towards Durban. Two SAAF helicopters, including a BK-117 from 15 Squadron Charlie Flight and an Oryx helicopter, were swiftly dispatched to the scene. By 4:42 p.m., the sea rescue craft Alick Rennie set off from the Durban Sea Rescue station, laden with a Netcare 911 rescue paramedic and an IPSS rescue paramedic, to position themselves for a potential evacuation. As the rescue operations continued, the Oryx helicopter landed on the ship's helipad at around 5:30 p.m., where Netcare 911 paramedics and NSRI medics took over care for the five injured individuals. Sorting through the medical situation, the crew managed to stabilize the patients before airlifting them to a Durban hospital for further treatment. Among the five injured, one was in critical condition while the others were reported stable. Fortunately, all five individuals are now recuperating under medical care. For more details and visual coverage, refer to the report at https://www.nsri.org.za/2020/01/durban-tuesday-07-january-patient-evacuation-off-a-ship/