16850TEU Elly Maersk sails to a wintry Felixstowe with a draft of 15.4 metres 26/04/17

16850TEU Elly Maersk sails to a wintry Felixstowe with a draft of 15.4 metres from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The pilot boards the Elly Maersk at the Sunk Pilot Station around 12 nautical miles out in the North Sea. Once onboard the pilot radios through to Harwich VTS that they are inwards with no defects. VTS confirms a ready berth planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 9. With a brisk 18-24 knot northerly wind the pilot requests 3 tugs for berthing, the first centre lead aft at 7&8, the second outside the harbour to push on the starboard quarter for the corner then move around to the port quarter for the swing then make fast and the third in the harbour centre lead forward.

The typical British weather had been throwing everything at the port during the morning, heavy rain, sleet and hail but the skies darkened as Elly made her way towards the harbour.

The first tug Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon to be the first tug shortly followed by the Svitzer Shotley.  As the Elly Maersk approaches 7&8 Buoys the Svitzer Kent swings around to chase up astern to be made fast on the centre lead aft. In the meantime Svitzer Shotley makes her approach onto the starboard quarter for a push.

The third tug Svitzer Sky leaves the tug pontoon and paddles slowly towards the Beach End.

Approaching the 90deg Beach End turn into the harbour the pilot gets the Svitzer Kent to go out on the port quarter at full line load for a powered in-direct while the Svitzer Shotley pushes up full to help with the corner.


The Beach End navigated the Shotley eases up and comes away from the starboard side to reposition on the port quarter to push for the swing. As the Shotley moves around, Svitzer Sky makes her approach for the centre lead forward but says to the pilot that he will be on starboard of centre to retrieve the heaving line to be made fast.

Now on a northerly heading the pilot gets the Kent to go full straight astern to slow the Elly down enough for the swing.
Just as the pilot was about to initiate the swing the weather turned dark and a very heavy hail shower fell but as the bridge on the Elly was enclosed the pilot was kept warm and dry. Svitzer Kent comes out on to the starboard quarter and pulls while Svitzer Shotley pushes the stern. The Svitzer Sky positions out on the port shoulder and pulls the bow around.

Almost swung around the hail shower stops and brightens up as the sun peaks through the clouds. Sky begins to run out of space and moves onto the starboard side in a check position.
Easing alongside the Shotley pushes on 20% to hold her in position.

Final tie up 5 and 2 each end with spring lines first fore and aft

 

E R Yokahoma sails from Felixstowe. 21st April 2017

E.R. Yokahoma sails from Felixstowe Trinity Quay with assistance of Svitzer Sky for her next port of Rotterdam. The 300 metre vessel can carry 7455TEU of which 500 can be reefers.

E.R. Yokahoma
IMO:  9285665
Built: 2004
Gross tonnage: 83133t



UASC's Al Nefud departs Felixstowe Berth 8 with assistance of two Svitzer tugs 26 04 17

UASC'S 18800teu 400 metre Al Nefud departs Felixstowe Berth 8 with the assistance of 2 Svitzer tugs.

The pilot was onboard for a 07:30 departure but radioed through to Harwich VTS shortly before 07:30 and gave an update that a twistlock was broken in a container under a stack. The tugs had left the tug pontoon heading to be made fast ready for the departure. The pilot suggested that the tugs to take a turn as they would be at least a 30 minute delay. The tugs decided to go back to the pontoon and wait for another update.

The crane driver had to remove containers on top of the faulty one and replace the broken twistlock and put the stack back together. After a 40 minute delay the crane driver had completed the task and began to boom up. Once the crane was booming up, the tugs make their approach to be made fast on the centre leads fore and aft. Svitzer Shotley aft and Svitzer Sky forward. As both tugs were made fast the pilot gives the orders to start singling up to the spring lines.

The tugs got in to position to pull off the berth. All lines let go the pilot gets both tugs to pull straight off at 25%. Edging away from the fenders the tugs increase to 50% then up to 75%. As she comes away from the berth the pilot uses the bow thrusters to help the bow into the tide the increases both tugs to full power.

Once in the channel the pilot gets the Svitzer Shotley on the aft to ease up and lay straight astern while the Svitzer Sky forward ease up and come in to let go. As the Sky's line was lowered and retrieved she breaks away to the Harwich side and makes her way back to the tug pontoon.

The Al Nefud needs a little help to steer out of the harbour as her size limits Maneuverability around the corner. The Beach End turn out of the harbour is a 90° angle. The Svitzer Shotley performs a powered in-direct at full line load to help the stern around the corner.

As she rounds the Beach End turn and proceeds on to a easterly heading the Shotley eases up and comes in to be released and heads back to the tug pontoon.

The Al Nefud heads out to the Sunk where the pilot disembarks and leaves the ship in good hands of the captain where they head to her next port of Rotterdam with a draft of 13.6 metres.

YM Wonderous departing Felixstowe with 4 tugs in a strong gusty wind.29th June 2016

Strong gusty winds made the departure of YM Wondrous challenging. The winds picked up to a near gale so the pilot ordered the 4th tug as the wind was pushing against her the quay.

As she came off the berth the bow struggled even with 2 tugs pulling at full power and the bow thrusters working, As she got around 80 metres away from the quay the wind, still causing problems, was slowing the process of coming away from the berth, so a decision by the pilot was to release the Svitzer Stanford from the starboard quarter and go around to the portside and push the bow out into the channel.

As YM Wondrous got some headway the forward tugs were released. Svitzer Sky sat along the port quarter also the Svitzer Deben was kept on the centre lead aft just incase there was a problem going around the Beach end out of the harbour



Evelyn Maersk swinging for Felixstowe Berth 9 with two Svitzer tugs 8th January 2017

Ultra large Evelyn Maersk sails to Felixstowe from her last port of Algeciras with a draft of 13.9 metres. Two tugs were requested for the port swing to go portside to Berth 9. Svitzer Deben made fast centre lead aft and Svitzer Shotley made fast centre lead forward. As Evelyn Maersk approaches her berth, dredger Barent Zanen passes and the Stena Britannica sails out from Parkeston Quay for the Hook of Holland.

Majestic maersk struggles to depart Felixstowe 7th August 2016

Ultra large Majestic Maersk sails from Felixstowe Berth 9 with 2 tugs initially but a third was drafted in as the wind was pinning her alongside.

Maiden call of MSC Palak arrives at Felixstowe very light 15th August 2016

New build MSC Palak arrives at Felixstowe very light from her last port of Antwerp. With a draft of only just 8.8 metres at the stern and just 5.5 metres at the bow. The pilot ordered one tug to be fast on centre lead aft but the bow struggled after the port swing so the pilot ordered a second tug after a failed attempt to berth. Svitzer Shotley was made fast on he starboard shoulder to push the bow towards the berth. A second attempt was made but it was the stern was heading towards the quay to fast so the tugs pulled her away for another attempt for berthing.

MSC Ditte arrives to a hazy Felixstowe, starboardside to Berth 9. 8th April 2017

19437TEU MSC Ditte sails from Algeciras to the Port of Felixstowe with a draft of 12.2 metres. The pilot boards the Ditte at the Sunk Pilot Station around 12 nautical miles off the Suffolk coast. As the pilot steers the ship towards the deep water channel inwards, he radios Harwich VTS with the important information, Draft, if there was any defects and tug requirements for berthing.

MSC Ditte was planned starboard side to Berth 9 as her sister ship was due in in the small hours the next day. The pilot request 2 tugs for berthing, both to meet outside the harbour, first tug centre lead aft and the second on the starboard quarter then move around to the portside for a push onto the berth.

As she approaches the Harwich Approach Buoy the Svitzer Kent heads out to be made fast on the centre lead aft. A short while later the Svitzer Sky heads out to position on the starboard quarter just incase the Ditte had a problem turning around the 90° Beach End into the harbour. As she comes onto a northerly heading the Sky moves away from the quarter and moves around the stern onto the portside quarter ready for the push onto the berth.

The Svitzer Deben goes straight astern at 50% to slow Ditte enough to slide her onto the berth. A few minutes later the pilot gets the Deben to come out on the starboard quarter on an easy weight to help the stern straighten for a gentle landing.

Just off the berth the stern was coming in nicely but the bow would not keep up. It looked like they were doing a port swing but after a little while the bow started to come in. The last 50 metres was a little interesting as the springs were thrown ashore and the pilot used them to come alongside. The lines were taking the strain as you could hear them stretching with the weight. The tugs were released and went back to the tug pontoon.

Final tie up 6 and 2 each end with spring lines fore and aft first.

Expected EDT 0900 on the 10th April 2017. Swing off the berth for Antwerp.

My guess was there was an issue with the bow thrusters onboard. I would like to know what really happened so if the pilot would like to explain, I would be grateful.

CSCL Globe swings off the berth with 3 tugs at Felixstowe 15th April 2017

Previous record breaker CSCL Globe swings off the berth and departs a breezy Felixstowe.
400 metre CSCL Globe was the worlds largest for only 53 days as MSC Oscar was launched with space for 124 containers more.
The pilot orders 3 tugs for the starboard swing off the berth to head out with a draft of 14.1 metres for her next port of Rotterdam.

The Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon shortly followed by the Svitzer Sky and the Svitzer Deben.
Svitzer Kent makes her approach for the centre lead aft while the Svitzer Deben makes her approach for centre lead forward and Svitzer Sky hung back for the crew onboard to let go of a few lines before being made fast on the port quarter.

Once Globe had let go of the spring lines, the pilot gets all 3 tugs to pull straight off at 50% from the quay. Slowly edging away from the fenders the pilot gets the Sky and Deben to increase to full power.  Forward tug Deben decreases to 50% to help the stern begin the swing out into the channel. As the gap between the bow and the quay begins to increase, the Deben moves around from the portside to the starboard shoulder  and puts full weight on the line to swing the bow to head out.

CSCL Globe all swung and about to come ahead on the main engine, the pilot gets the Sky on the port quarter to come in and let go then lay alongside the starboard side on the most aft pushing point just incase the Globe gets into difficulty rounding the 90° Beach End turn out of the harbour. The Deben also comes in to be released and breaks away to the Felixstowe side heading back for the tug pontoon. Svitzer Kent fast on the aft gets ready for a powered in-direct around the Beach End out of the harbour. Passing the Fort Buoy, the pilot says to the Kent to go out on starboard side at a full line weight.

With the many years of experience from the pilot, tugs and berthing master the CSCL Globe departs safely for her next port.

Mackinac Bridge sails to Felixstowe with assistance of 2 Svitzer tugs. 130417

366 metre Mackinac Bridge sails to Felixstowe with a draft of 12.5 metres from her last port of Rotterdam. The 13900TEU vessel suffered a radar malfunction on her journey to Felixstowe. The pilot boarded from a pilot launch 12 nautical miles off the Suffolk coast. The pilot requests 2 tugs for the port swing and berthing onto Trinity 6.

Heading inwards Harwich VTS gets in contact with the Mackinac Bridge as they spotted that there was a problem receiving a radar signal from them. The pilot was informed by the captain that an engineer was booked to figure out the problem while berthed at Felixstowe.

Approaching the HA Buoy the Svitzer Shotley leaves the tug pontoon to be the first tug for the Mackinac Bridge and made fast on the centre lead aft. The pilot goes onto VHF channel 12 with the tugs so the tugs know what the plan is to berth the ship. With no radar the pilot did not want to take any chances so he wanted a powered in-direct from the Svitzer Shotley around the 90° Beach End turn into the harbour. Rounding the Beach End and speed dropping off, Svitzer Deben makes her approach bow to bow. Once fast the Deben gets into position and keeps in front until they are near the Shotley Spit.

The pilot gets the Svitzer Shotley to move out onto the starboard quarter to take the stern around while the Svitzer Deben moves out onto the port shoulder to take the bow around. The pilot goes astern on the main engine missing the Shotley Spit Buoy by only 50 - 60 metres.  Almost swung the pilot gest both tug to change to the other side at 50%  to catch the swing. Very carefully the Mackinac Bridge eases onto the berth with no issues.

With the knowledge of the pilot, tugs and Harwich VTS another ship delivered safely into port.

Mogens Maersk sails to Felixstowe 15th April 2017

Mogens Maersk  vessel number 12 of 20 in her class sails to Felixstowe with a draft of 12 metres from her last port of Algeciras.
The pilot boards the Mogens Maersk at the Sunk Pilot Station 12 nautical miles off the East Anglian coast. Once onboard the pilot says that he is inbound, draft of 12 metres and was heading for Felixstowe Berth 8. Harwich VTS confirms that the berth is clear and she is planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 8. With the winds 18 to 22 knots the pilot orders 3 tugs for berthing.

As the Mogens Maersk approached the Harwich Approach Buoy the Svitzer Deben heads out to be the first tug. Passing 7&8 Buoys the Deben slows up and waits for the Mogens to pass so they could make come up astern to be made fast on the centre lead aft. Getting closer the harbour the Svitzer Shotley heads out and positions on the most aft tug marker on the starboard side just incase the Mogens need a little help rounding the 90°  Beach end into the harbour.

A little while later the Svitzer Sky heads to meet the Mogens on a North/South heading just inside the harbour to be made fast on the centre lead forward on a bow to bow. The crew onboard had a weighted heaving line ready to throw down to the Sky so they could be made fast. Slowly moving towards the middle of the harbour, the pilot stops the main engines then trickles the starboard engine ahead hard to starboard to help the stern turn ready for the port swing.

On a westerly heading the pilot starts the swing by getting the Svitzer Deben to go out on the starboard quarter at full power, Svitzer Shotley to push full on the port quarter and Svitzer Sky to come out on the port shoulder at full power to take her round.


Almost swung the Shotley eases up and moves around to the starboard quarter and pushes up full while the Sky eases up and moves into a check position on the starboard side.  Edging towards the berth the pilot gets Svitzer Deben to move out to the starboard side into a check position. Just off the berth the pilot gets the Sky and Deben to check 25% for a soft landing onto the fenders on Berth 8.

MSC Cordoba swings for Felixstowe Berth 7. 21st April 2017

MSC Cordoba arrives at Felixstowe from Gemlik, Bursa in Turkey with a draft of 11.40 metres. The pilot orders 2 tugs for berthing the first tug to meet outside the harbour and the second at the Beach End.

With gross tonnage of just under 51000 tonnes and LoA of 275 metres and beam of 32 metres MSC Cordoba is a small to medium sized ship with a maximum capacity of 4884 TEU of which 560 are reefers.

MSC Cordoba enters the harbour with the Svitzer Kent fast aft, Svitzer Shotley makes her approach on a bow to bow for the centre lead forward. Once fast the Shotley stretches her line ready for the port swing for Felixstowe Berth 7.

Hansa Cloppenburg's 1st call to Felixstowe 22nd April 2017

The 175 metre Hansa Cloppenburg makes her 1st call to the Port of Felixstowe.

 Hansa Cloppenburg is a special kind of ship as Felixstowe don't see many geared ships. She has two deck cranes which have a safe working load of 40 tonnes each and a combined lift of 80 tonnes.

Her engine is a  MAN B&W 7S60MC-C Mk VII which kicks out 16660 kW of power and has a bow thruster rated at 900kW. She has got a crew of 20, Filipino, Kiribati, romainian and Ukrainian.

The pilot boards at the Sunk Pilot Station about 12 nautical miles out in the North Sea. The 1740TEU makes her way inwards requesting the Gray Test to help with berthing. Approaching the harbour, Grey Test slowly makes her way towards the Fort Buoy to make fast aft for the port swing onto berth 5.

LoA 175.49m and Beam 27.4m
IMO:9357860.
Built at Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard, China in 2007.
Registered in Monrovia in Liberia.
x2 deck cranes each with safe working load of 40 tonnes.



New build MSC Viviana sails to Felixstowe on her maiden voyage. Two tugs assist her with the starboard swing off the berth to go portside to Berth 8.

New build MSC Viviana makes her maiden call to the Port of Felixstowe with a draft of 13.2 metres from her last port of Algeciras. When she left Malaysia she had a draft of 15.5 metres but calling in Algeciras first on the western leg of the voyage she became 2.3 metres lighter.

The pilot left Harwich on a pilot launch to board the Viviana 12 nautical miles out in the North Sea at the Sunk Pilot Station. Just after 1700 local time the pilot boards and informs Harwich VTS that he is onboard, heading inbound with no defects and from her last port of Algeciras. VTS replies that there is a ready berth on Felixstowe Berth 8 planned portside to, wind was Easterly 10 to 12 knots and no traffic to affect the passage in. The pilot requests 2 tugs for berthing, the first to meet at 7&8 Buoys and the second at the Platters.

MSC Viviana in the South Ship Wash heading towards the Harwich Approach Buoy, the Svitzer Kent eases away from the tug pontoon and makes her way out to meet around 7&8 Buoys to be made fast on the centre lead aft. A short while later the Svitzer Shotley heads out and positions on the most aft pushing point on the starboard side ready for the 90° Beach End turn into the harbour. Passing the Platters the pilot needs a little help steering the stern around the corner so the Svitzer Kent goes out on the port quarter at full line load for a powered in-direct.

Coming onto a Northerly heading and the speed through the water decreasing rapidly, the Kent struggled to keep the full line load as they were overtaking the Viviana so they eased up and came straight astern ready to be Viviana's hand break.

Svitzer Shotley comes away from the pushing point to be made fast on the starboard quarter. Svitzer Kent puts 50% power astern to slow her up for the swing off the berth. Once the speed has dropped off the Kent moves out onto the port quarter to swing the stern but Viviana was close to the North Shelf Buoy so the Kent had to wait for the gap to open up before putting weight on the line while the Shotley moves to the most aft pushing point on the starboard side and begins to push 50%.

The Stena Hollandica slowly making her way in for Parkeston Quay on reduced speed while the MSC Viviana swings for the berth. As she comes around the Beach End the Viviana is still swinging so the Hollandica had to stop just inside the harbour at the North West Beach Buoy until the pilot onboard the Viviana was happy for her to pass.
MSC Viviana slowly edging towards the berth, the pilot gives the ok for the Stena Hollandica to proceed.

The pilot had got the position almost perfect with only 5 metres to come astern.  Svitzer Kent moves around to the starI board side in a check position while the Shotley pushes her onto the berth.
About to come alongside the Shotley pushes up 20% to hold her alongside to make fast on Felixstowe Berth 8.

Final tie up 5 and 2 each end with spring lines first for and aft.

EDT 0400 on 24th April 2017.

Port of Felixstowe says goodbye to another old crane.

On Wednesday 24th February 2016 Another ship to shore crane hits the ground with a thud after being pulled down for scrap metal. After an hour and 45 minutes delay the crane came down without the boom causing any problems.

CSCL Indian Ocean departing Felixstowe just a few days before she came to grief

Monday 1st February 2016,     CSCL Indian Ocean departing Felixstowe in a force 8 gale. 4 tugs assist her out of the berth. Svitzer Deben goes out on the starboard side for a powered in-direct around the 90deg Beach End corner out of the harbour. Svitzer Sky sits around the port shoulder just in case the CSCL Indian Ocean needs a push to get out of trouble.

400 metre Marstal Maersk heads in to Felixstowe, starboard side to Berth 8

The first video I made was the Marstal Maersk, planned starboard side to Felixstowe Berth 8. 16th January 2016

Marstal Maersk joins the CSCL Arctic Ocean on Felixstowe's Berth's 8&9. The port of Felixstowe recently opened Berth 9's extension finger quay. Saturday 16th January 2016 was a ground breaking day for the port as two of the largest vessels in the world would be berthed at the same time in berth 8&9. These mighty ships have a capacity of over 18000 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU). Marstal Maersk can carry 18270 TEU and CSCL Arctic Ocean can carry 19100 TEU.