A week previous she had been in Felixstowe staright from Singapore fully loaded. While she was berthed last week she was on a discharge only then headed off to Rotterdam before making her way to the Deep water anchorage around 14 miles off the East anglian coast to wait to come in to Felixstowe for the UK exports to the Far Eastern Countries to then head of Singapore via the Suez Canal.
A confirmed pilot time was made this morning 10:30 UTC but there was a delay at some point so he time was put back to 11:45UTC.
Once the pilot had boarded at the Sunk Pilot Station he informed Harwich VTS that they were inbound with a draft of 9.9 metres from her last port of Rotterdam. VTS replies that a ready berth planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 8 and 40 metres from the end of the quay, wind on the Landguard 305° 2-6 knots and the tanker Stenstraum outbound in the main channel out for the Sunk. The pilot replies that he would require 2 tugs for berthing, the first one outside the harbour centre lead aft and the second tug bow to bow inside the harbour. I would be a starboard swing off the berth.
Approaching the harbour, Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon to head out to be the first tug followed a short while later the Sky. The one of the tug called up the pilot to ask how he would use the bow tug. He replied that he would like them on a bow to bow then once they have swung to let go and push up midships onto the berth.
Rounding the Beach End the pilot comes on the radio and says to the Sky that speed is 6 knots through the water and 7 over the ground and when they are ready the crew are waiting with a weighted heaving line. Speed reducing the pilot comes astern on the main engine producing a plume of black smoke.
Just off Berths 8&9 the pilot get the Deben to go out on the port quarter and pull full while the Sky moves out on the starboard shoulder and pulls full on the bow to swing her 180°. As she swings the pilot comes ahead on the main engine releasing another plume of thick black smoke. Swung 3/4 of the way around the Sky comes in to be released and repositions on the starboard side midships to push alongside the berth.
The Deben running out of space on the portside moves around to the starboard side into a check position. Once on the fenders the crew and mooring gang made the Cape Tainaro fast alongside Felixstowe Berth 8 with a final tie up of 5 and 2 each end.
ETD 07:00 Wednesday 16th August.
Deano C
Comments
Post a Comment