MSC Ditte swings to port with two Svitzer tugs to go portside to Felixstowe Berth 9 16th February

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The 19,437teu MSC Ditte swings to port with the assistance of two Svitzer tugs on a sunny February afternoon A Harwich Haven pilot boards the MSC Ditte at the Sunk Pilot Station which is on the edge of international waters 12 miles out in the North Sea. Once onboard he requests two Svitzer tugs for berthing, the first at 7&8 Buoys make fast centre lead aft and normal procedure, the second tug to meet outside the harbour and make fast on the starboard quarter. The pilot also says he will be doing a port swing off the berth to go portside to Felixstowe Berth 9. As the MSC Ditte approaches the HA Buoy, Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon and paddles out towards 7&8 to be the aft tug. Closer to the harbour enterance, Svitzer Sky which had be manoeuvring in the Berth 9 area swings around to head out the harbour to escort the Ditte around the 90 degree Beach End turn. The pilot gets the Deben to assist steering around the corner by going out on the port side for a powered indirect. With a speed of about 7 knots over the ground, the pilot increases the revs to keep her moving as she rounds the Beach End. Safely in the harbour and tracking North, the pilot gets the Deben to ease up and drop in astern. Sky makes fast on the starboard quarter ready to work. Further up the harbour, the pilot goes astern on the main engine to drop off the knots ready to swing. Sky begins to take the weight on their line as they move out to start swinging the stern. A short while later the Deben moves out onto the starboard side and begins to pull the stern around. Half swung, the pilot uses the bow thrusters to help her swing around. The pilot goes astern on the engines to reverse towards the berth. Sky is released from the quarter so they could push up alongside. The pilot kicks ahead to stop the ship going astern too much. As the MSC Ditte comes alongside, the crew throw the spring heaving lines down for the mooring to make fast on the bollards Final tie up 6 and 2 with springs first then the offshore lines. Aft lines were crossing with the CSCL's bow lines.

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