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Video: Bulker Goes Aground on Rocky Shore on Sardinia

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Published Dec 25, 2019 12:09 AM by The Maritime Executive

On Saturday, the bulker CDRY Blue went aground on a rocky shore on the coast of Sardinia, forcing the evacuation of her crew and the launch of a pollution-prevention effort.

According to local media, the CDRY Blue was seeking shelter from stormy weather when she went aground on a shoal between Porto Sciusciau and Capo Sperone, in the Sant'Antioco area of south-western Sardinia.

Upon receiving a report of the grounding, the Cagliari Harbor Office launched an effort to rescue the crew. It dispatched two patrol boats and one helicopter from the Guarda Costiera to the scene. Due to unfavorable conditions and 50 knot winds, the helicopter aircrew was not immediately able to hoist the seafarers off the vessel. The following morning, it returned and managed to rescue all 12 members of the CDRY Blue's crew. 

Spill response vessels have been dispatched from Trapani and are under way: the CDRY Blue is on the rocks, and on Monday the mayor of Sant'Antioco raised concerns about the possibility of an isolated spill. Continued strong winds have hampered the salvage response effort.