BLUE DADDY: Italian-Built, Italian-Owned
The Italian marine operator Bambini, based at the Port of Ravenna, operates an extensive fleet of vessels in support of the offshore industry. These range from tugs, to supply boats and crew boats. The latter, mostly in the 30 to 35-mrange, have been imported from US builders. Recently they launched their first Fast Supply Vessel, the 51.75 by 9.2-meter Blue Daddy, from the Cantieri Navail Vittoria in Adria on the Canal Bianco about 25 kilometers up from the Adriatic Sea along the River Po in north-eastern Italy.
With more than 80 years of history in shipbuilding the CN Vittoria has worked in all materials from wood to steel and, for the Blue Daddy, aluminum. With the characteristic raked bow of most boats in this class, the hull has a nine-meter beam and a five-meter molded depth. Powered by four Cummins KTA50-M2 engines, the fast supply vessel can make 29 knots and cruises at 24 knots. The main engines each provide 1800 BHP at 1900 RPM. Capacities include 116 cubic meters of water, 110 cm of fuel, 71 passengers and 150 tons of deck cargo. The open after deck has a clear area 25 by 7.2 meters. Auxiliary power is provided by three Cummins 6BT5.9DM powered gen sets and one Cummins 4BT3.9 emergency gen set. Sea Italia one of Italy’s major Cummins dealers supplied all engines. The company is able to supply full power train solutions including gears, shafting and propellers.
Classed by RINA with notation for MALTA CROSS-DYNAPOS-AUT UMS, the Blue Daddy initially served offshore platforms in the Adriatic. Later, the boat was deployed to West African waters.