The merchant ship Blue Ocean A, flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, was detained at the Port of Cagliari after an inspection by the Port Authority revealed 54 irregularities, 30 of which were considered serious.
On January 29, the 116-meter vessel nearly ran aground off San Pietro Island due to a main engine failure while carrying 33 crew members. The danger was averted thanks to the Cagliari Coast Guard and Rimorchiatori Sardi tug crews, who successfully stabilized and towed the ship to safety, despite rough seas with 5-meter waves and 50-knot winds.
As mentioned, the inspection revealed 54 irregularities, 30 of which were critical, including problems with firefighting and life-saving equipment, bridge systems, crew emergency training, and living and working conditions. The ship will remain in port until safety standards are met and it passes a follow-up inspection.
In the past, livestock carriers have been a matter of dispute in the maritime industry. In December, a coalition of animal welfare organizations issued a letter to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), asking for an improved regulatory framework on livestock carriers.
Inspections also targeted a container ship in Cagliari’s canal port, which was detained and sent to a shipyard for repairs due to safety issues. Additionally, it lacked EU certification for hazardous materials on board, resulting in a €10,000 fine for the captain and a ban from entering EU ports.
