3 tugs assist the heavily laden ultra large Mathilde Maersk into Felixstowe 17th July 2017.MSC Spain arrives early morning to Felixstowe 21st July 2017
A Harwich Haven pilot went out to the Sunk on a pilot launch to board the Mathilde Maersk around 12 nautical miles out in the North Sea. Once onboard the pilot radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound with a draft of 15.55 metres from last port of Algeciras. VTS replies that there is a ready berth planned portside to Felixstowe berth 8, traffic outbound the ultra large Express Athens approaching the HA Buoy, wind speed and direction and the height of tide. The pilot then requests 2 tugs for berthing, the first either Svitzer Kent or Svitzer Deben starboard of centre aft and the second tug starboard shoulder and it would be a starboard swing off the berth.
As they were heading inbound the pilot radioed VTS again and asked for another tug to push on the starboard quarter.
Nearing the Harwich Approach Buoy Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon and heads out to be the first tugs. Svitzer Sky which had taken a turn on Berth 9 untied themselves and swung around to head out aswell and positions on the most aft tug marker on the starboard side. A short while later the Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon and makes their way to the Beach End. Approaching the harbour the pilot gets the Deben to go out on the portside at full line load for a powered indrect to help steer Mathilde around the 90deg Beach End turn into the harbour. Svitzer Sky was also helping the Mathilde around the corner by pushing up at a 45deg angle.
Once around the corner the Kent makes their approach for the starboard shoulder. The kent radios the pilot that it would be much easier if they retreived the heaving line on a bow to bow instead. A few minutes later the pilot gets the Deben to go astern at 50% to slow the Mathilde ready for the swing to starboard off the berth. Just as they were level with Berth 9 the Sky repositons and squares up to push full power, the Deben moves onto the port quarter and pulls the stern while the Kent comes out on the starboard shoulder and pulls the bow around.
Half way around the Kent is asked to stop pulling on the bow and position themselves on the forward tug maker for a push towards the quay. The berthing master comes on the radio and says the car is parked in the bridge position. The pilot replies that he sees the position and says springs first fore and aft and it would be 6 and 2.
Deano C
Comments
Post a Comment