{{Short description|Greek ferry}} {{More citations needed|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox ship|section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Large.AquaBlueinLavrion11-03-25.JPG.b5c896161dcd7eb6f7eaa50fed80bf78.jpg | image_caption = ''Aqua Blue'' at Lavrion }}|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header = |name = Aqua Blue (2018-Present) Green Arch (1975–1982)

Okudogo No. 8 (1982–1991)

Kydon (1991–1995)

Talos (1995–1999) Ierapetra L (1999–2016)

Kiara (2017) |owner =* Sea Jets Maritime Co. (2017–present) * Hiroshima Green Ferry (1975–1982) * Kurushima Kosan / Diamond Ferry (1982–1990) * ANEK Lines (1990–1999) * LANE Sea Lines (1999–2016) |operator = *Seajets (2018–present) * Hiroshima Green Ferry (1975–1982) * Diamond Ferry (1982–1990) * ANEK Lines (1991–1999) * LANE Sea Lines (1999–2014) |registry = Piraeus, {{flagu|Greece}} |builder = Kanda Shipbuilding, Hiroshima, Japan |yard_number = 197 |ordered = 1974 |launched = 1975 |completed = June 1975 |identification = * IMO: 7429669 * MMSI: 241620000 * Call sign: SVAI5 |status = In service }}|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | type = Ro-Pax ferry | tonnage = 12,891 GT | length = {{convert|137.0|m|ft|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|22.0|m|ft|abbr=on}} | draft = {{convert|5.9|m|ft|abbr=on}} | propulsion = 2 × Pielstick diesel engines | speed = * 17.5 knots (service) * 19 knots (max) | capacity = * 1,000 passengers * 400 cars }}}}

'''Aqua Blue''' is a conventional passenger-roaming ship of the Seajets company. It is considered one of the most recognizable ships of the Greek coastal shipping fleet, as it has been serving for almost three decades in Greek seas, after an extensive renovation.

== History == The ship was built in '''1975''' at the Kanda Zosencho Dockyards in Hiroshima, Japan, with the original name "Green Arch". In 1982, it was sold to Kurushima Dock KK as Okudogo No 8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ferry site |url=https://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=7429669&lang=en |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=www.ferry-site.dk}}</ref> In 1991, it came to Greece on behalf of ANEK under the name "Kydon".<ref>{{Cite web |title=F/B Ierapetra L. - Agios Nikolaos |url=https://www.adriaticandaegeanferries.com/lane/iereng.html |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=www.adriaticandaegeanferries.com}}</ref> It initially operated on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Trieste route. In 1995, it was renamed "Talos", after a major reconstruction with the aim of converting it into a modern 5-star cruise-ferry for the Adriatic and mainly Venice routes, while remaining on the same routes. In 1999, it was transferred to LANE and renamed "Ierapetra L". Based in Piraeus, it served the Agios Nikolaos-Sitia-Kasos-Karpathos-Rhodes routes. In 2005, there was an accident and the ship ran aground in Rhodes, but the passengers and their vehicles were safely transported on the ship Vitsentzos Kornaros of the same company. Since 2007, while it remained in LANE, it served the Piraeus-Chania/Rethymno line. In 2009, it returned to ANEK signals under the same name, serving lines in the Aegean, Ikaria, Samos and barren routes, thanks to its significant capacity. The ship suffered a tragic incident, around mid-2014. While sailing off the coast of Italy, a fire broke out in its engine room.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hancock |first=Paul |date=2014-12-01 |title=Ierapetra L - Shipwreck Log |url=https://shipwrecklog.com/log/2014/12/ierapetra-l/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=shipwrecklog.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Fortunately, the fire was extinguished after it managed to return to Brindisi as quickly as possible. After the fire was extinguished, it returned to Greece and was decommissioned at Neos Molos, Drapetsonas. In 2016, ANEK intended to send it for scrapping, but in 2017 it joined the Seajets fleet and was renamed “Kiara”. After extensive renovation and reconstruction work, in 2018 it was named “Aqua Blue”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-20 |title=Aqua Blue - Το αρχοντοβάπορο της Seajets - Αρχιπέλαγος, Η 1η ναυτιλιακή πύλη ενημέρωσης στην Ελλάδα |url=https://arxipelagos.gr/aqua-blue-%cf%84%ce%bf-%ce%b1%cf%81%cf%87%ce%bf%ce%bd%cf%84%ce%bf%ce%b2%ce%ac%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%81%ce%bf-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-seajets/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |language=el}}</ref>

== Itineraries == In the summer of 2018, it began operating on the route: Thessaloniki – Skiathos – Andros – Syros – Tinos – Mykonos – Naxos – Santorini – Heraklion. In the summer of 2019, it served the route: Rafina – Andros – Tinos – Mykonos, with an extension twice a week to Ikaria and Samos.

== Interior spaces == The interior and exterior spaces of the ship are fully renovated and distributed over three decks:

* '''Deck 6''' : Reception, "Poseidon" and "Aphrodite" flight lounges, cabins. * '''Deck 7''' : Large "Main" lounge with bar, self-service (180 people) and "Club" room, as well as cabins. * '''Deck 8''' : Discotheque with bar, "Aqua" lounge, open deck, cabins.

It has a total of 115 cabins (370 beds), 2 cabins for disabled people and 9 bow lux cabins of high comfort.

== Bridge and engine room == The bridge maintains the classic Japanese semicircular design with a soft pistachio color. Features include the double metal steering wheel and the telegraph, elements of the Japanese shipbuilding school of the 1970s. The engine room houses the two main engines and the three electric engines, in excellent condition and cleanliness.

== References == <references />

== External links ==

* [https://www.seajets.com/fleet/aqua-blue Official Seajets: Aqua Blue Profile] – Official vessel page including deck plans and technical details. * [https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:214691/mmsi:241620000/imo:7429669 MarineTraffic: AQUA BLUE Live Positioning] – Real-time AIS tracking and recent port calls. * [https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/7429669 VesselFinder: AQUA BLUE Particulars] – Detailed ship specifications and historical tracking data. * [https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/green_arch_1975.htm Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Green Arch (1975)] – Comprehensive photographic history and name changes (Swedish). * [https://arxipelagos.gr/aqua-blue/ Arxipelagos: Aqua Blue Tribute] – In-depth presentation and video tours of the ship's interior after its 2018 refit.

Category:Ferries of Greece Category:Ferries of Japan Category:Ships of Seajets