The Ebba Maersk has not been upgraded like some of her sisters yet. The upgrades consist of heightening the bridge and lasing platforms also reshaping the bulbous bow and a new propeller. They will also fit an anti-roll tank behind the accommadation block.
At 07:00 the pilot boards the Ebba Maersk at the Sunk Pilot Station around 12 miles out in the North Sea. Once onboard he radios Harwich VTS to confirm that they are inbound with a maximum draft 14.4 metres from her last port of Colombo and he believes Ebba was going portside to Felixstowe Berth 9. VTS replies that is correct planned potside to Felixstowe berth 9, wind speeds and direction also traffic heading out towards the south via the main channel was the Capucine and there were the 2 ferries to order up to leave within the time of her arrival. The pilot replies that he would like 2 tugs for berthing the first tug at the normal place fast aft for an indirect and the second inside the harbour on a bow to bow heading. He also said as the wind was due to pick up he may require a third tug but will make a decicion closer to the harbour. Duty tug Svitzer Sky comes on the radio to say he copied the conversation.
A little while later the captain of the DFDS ferry Suecia Seaways radios Harwich VTS to give them a 30 minute from departure time but as he knew the Ebba was inbound and had to have a clear run to 5&6 Buoys. VTS replies that they would stay alongside until the Ebba had swung and was pushing onto the berth also the Stena Britiannica was hoping to depart from Parkeston Quay at 09:00.
Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon and heads out of the harbour to meet the Ebba near 7&8 Buoys. As the Ebba Maersk gets closer to the harbour thew pilot radios Harwich VTS and asks for the wind speed. VTS says that the wind hadn't increased much so the pilot sticks with the 2 tugs as requested.
Deben all fast starboard of centre streches their line ready for work. Svitzer Sky leaves the pontoon and heads toward the Beach End. As the Ebba is a over 395 metres and deep drafted to help them around the 90deg Beach End the aft tug normally performs an indirect to steer them into the harbour.
The pilot requests the Deben to go out on the portside for an indirect. As they come into the harbour the pilot radios the Deben to say that the Ebba flew around the corner more than he thought as he was used to the bigger Triple E's. The Sky makes her approach to make fast forward ready for the port swing off the berth.
The pilot comes astern on the main engine to reduce her speed ready for the swing. A short moment later the pilot gets the Deben to move onto the starboard quarter at 50% and the Sky to go on the portside at 50% to start taking her around. Swinging to port nicely the Deben increases upto 75% then up to full. Sky does the same but later into the swing.
The berthing Master radios the pilot to says the truck is in the bridge position and the cran is moving up to give the bridge more space. The pilot says he can see where it is and the final tie up will be 5 and 2 each end.
Almost swung the pilot uses the stern thruster to get her closer to her position,the pilot also tugs reduce their power, Deben gets in a push position on the starboard quarter while the Sky moves around from the port shoulder onto the starboard shoulder. Maneuvering on to the berth Sky comes in to hold the Ebba alongside while she is made fast.
ETD Saturday 19th August 13:00 bound for Rotterdam.
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