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.