A Harwich Haven Pilot boards the ship at the Sunk Pilot Station at the edge of British waters. Once onboard he radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound for Felixstowe. VTS replies there is a ready berth planned portside to number 8, wind on the Landguard and any conflicting traffic. As the Edith Maersk was heading inbound via the deep water, the world's largest container ship OOCL Germany was outbound. Both pilots planned they would pass each other around 1&2 Buoys.
The pilot requests three Svitzer tugs for berthing. First tug to meet at 7&8 to make fast aft, second tug pushing on the starboard quarter then push midships and third tug bow to bow inside the harbour.
Svitzer Kent which was waiting outside the harbour for the Edith Maersk to come closer to the harbour before they could make their approach to make fast starboard of centre aft.
As the Edith Maersk rounds the Beach End, Svitzer Sky makes their approach on a bow to bow to pick up a heaving line for the centre lead forward while the Svitzer Shotley swings around and positions on the starboard quarter ready to push around. Kent leans back with some power to help slow the ship down ready for the starboard swing.
The pilot gets the Shotley to square up and increase power to start the swing. Sky moves on to the starboard shoulder and increases power while Kent moves out on the port quarter and begins to build up power to swing the Edith around. 2/3 of the way round the pilot gets the Shotley to stop pushing and reposition around midships. A short while later, the pilot gets the Sky comes in for push as a steady North Easterly wind was pushing against the ship making berthing slightly more of a challenge.
Final tie up 6 and 2 with springs first.
During her stay in Felixstowe, a reefer caused a major incident alerting 9 fire crews to attend the port after it began leaking gas. There was no injuries reported.
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