The deep draughted MSC New York prepares to depart the Port of Felixstowe bound for Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia. As the last crane boomed up the pilot confirms the draught which was 14.8 metres and he required the two tugs and mooring gang.
The winds, a fresh North Westerly gusting upto 24 knots was going to make this departure a bit more difficult.
The Svitzer Kent and Svitzer Shotley leaves the tug pontoon to head for the MSC New York. The pilot goes through the plan of departure. As the New York is 399 metres, the pilot wanted the bigger tug Svitzer Kent aft as she has more bollard pull and able to perform a powered indirect out of the harbour.
Svitzer Kent makes fast on the centre lead aft while the Svitzer Shotley makes fast on the centre lead forward. Both tugs back away ready to pull the MSC New York off the berth. The lines fore and aft were slackened as they singled up. With the springs to go the pilot gives the tugs the heads up they are almost ready to depart.
Springs let go, the pilot gets the Kent to lift off at 50% while a few seconds later the Shotley is asked to build up to 50% aswell. The pilot then gets the Kent to increase to full power. New York edging away from the berth, the bow begins to swing out too soon so the pilot reduces the power of the Shotley. The pilot uses the power of the tide to bring the stern out. The pilot gives a kick astern on the main engine then a few longer bursts to help the ship move out into the channel. Slowly entering the channel the pilot increase the Shotley's power to swing the bow out.
Wind still buffering on the starboard side both tugs pull the vessel clear of the berth into the channel. Kent drops in astern while the Shotley comes in to let go. Shotley peels off onto the Felixstowe side and positions on the most aft tug marker just incase the pilot required more help turning the 90 degree corner out of the harbour. Kent readys themselves for a powered indirect. Approaching the Fort Buoy Kent gets the instruction to move out onto the starboard side at full line load to help steer the ship around the corner.
Once out of the harbour Shotley is no longer required and peels away from the MSC New York and heads back into the harbour. Kent eases up and closes up to retreive their tow line before breaking away from the stern to head back in to the harbour for the tug pontoon.
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