Blue Marlin and her sister ship MV Black Marlin compose the Marlin class of semisubmersible heavy-lift ships operated by Dockwise Shipping of the Netherlands. Designed to transport very large, semisubmersible drilling rigs above the transport ship's deck, she is equipped with 38 cabins to accommodate 60 people, a workout room, sauna and swimming facilities, and a secure citadel for protection against pirate attacks.
Blue Marlin carrying the Sea-Based X-Band Radar
Blue Marlin preparing to offload Ocean Monarch
A heavy-lift ship is a vessel designed to move very large loads that cannot be handled by normal ships. They are of two types:Semi-submersible ships that take on water ballast to allow the load—usually another vessel—to be floated over the deck, whereupon the ballast is jettisoned and the ship's deck and cargo raised above the waterline.
Project cargo ships that use at least one heavy-lift crane for handling heavy cargo and sufficient ballast to assure stability and sea-keeping properties.
MV Blue Marlin carrying USS Cole after being holed by an Al-Qaeda explosive.
MV Dan Lifter returns RFA Sir Tristram to the United Kingdom in 1983 after she was badly damaged during the Falklands War of 1982.
The incomplete Australian landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide embarked on Blue Marlin
Cosco Shipping Zhi Yan Kou in Curaçao carrying three smaller vessels on board.