Deep draughted Magleby Maersk eases from Felixstowe Berth 9 with two Svitzer tugs 16th Feb 2018

Tide restricted Magleby Maersk eases from Felixstowe Berth 9 with two Svitzer tugs. As both tugs were standing by the ship waiting for instructions from the pilot, the mooring gang were also standing by.  With a deep draught of 15.1 metres bound of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia the Magleby had a tight tidal window for departure. 

 Being a 400 metre mega ship, Harwich Haven pilots prefer to have a 3212 tug to make fast aft as they have a bollard pull of 80 tonnes and can produce a weight of 90-100 tonnes of steerage when they are engaging in a powered indirect. Svitzer Deben, a 3212 tug hangs around near the stern while the smaller 2411 Svitzer Sky which has a bollard pull of 70 tonnes makes her way towards the bow.

Firstly the offshore lines fore and aft were slackened as the last crane began to boom up. Crane driver down, the pilot is given to ok to proceed with the departure. Svitzer Sky moves to under the bow to retrieve a heaving line to send their towing line up through the centre lead forward. Once fast, the Sky backs away into a pull position as the rest of the forward lines are released. Deben does the same at the stern of the Magleby and gets ready for the pull off the berth. Springs were the last lines to be released.

The pilot starts with the Deben aft to pull off at 50% shortly after the Sky goes on at 50% with both tugs increasing to full power a couple of minutes later. The pilot uses the bow thrusters releasing black smoke from the port funnel. Steadily the Magleby Maersk clears the berth into the channel. Deben drops in astern as the pilot goes ahead on both engines. Sky goes right ahead at full weight to help Magleby pick up some knots.

After a few minutes of pulling, Sky slackens up ready to let go. As their line drops into the water, the Sky clears the bow to reposition alongside on the port quarter.  Approaching the Fort Buoy the pilot gets the Deben to move out on the starboard side for a powered indirect to help the ship steer around the 90 degree Beach End turn out of the harbour. Safely around the corner, Sky peels away from the port quarter while the Deben eases up and closes up to the transom to retrieve their towing gear.