Rio Blanco struggles from Felixstowe Berth 3. 27th January 2018

The Rio Blanco ready to depart from Felixstowe Berth 3 with a draught of 9.5 metres for Antwerp,  Svitzer Sky and mooring gang in attendance. The Svitzer Sky makes fast centre lead aft and stretches their line ready to work. The pilot gives the go ahead to single up after getting clearance to break away from the berth by Harwich VTS. All lines bought back onboard, the pilot gets the Sky to increase their power to lift the stern off the berth but with a 24 knot South Westerly, the Rio Blanco's bow thrusters couldn't cope. The pilot only had one option, to order another tug to make fast forward and use their power to lift the bow off the berth.  While waiting for the second tug to arrive, Svitzer Sky pushes up on the starboard quarter to hold her in place until the bow tug was in attendance.

Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon and runs astern up the harbour to Berth 3. Crew onboard Rio Blanco wait up on the bow for Kent to go under the bow to throw a heaving line to the Kent so they could pass up the towing line.  Kent all fast on the centre lead forward moves out into a pull position. Sky backs off also into a pull position.  The pilot gets both tugs to increase to 50%. As the Rio Blanco comes away from the berth, the Sky increases to full power before decreasing to let the bow swing out.

The Kent drops in ahead and slackens up to let go while the Sky drops in astern ready to let go. Kent released from forward builds up a bit of speed before peeling off to the Felixstowe side back to the tug pontoon.  Sky is released from aft and heads to the tug pontoon.