Harwich Haven bids farewell to drilling platform Paragon B391 after 6 months in port. 5th March 2018

Harwich Haven bids farewell to the drilling platform Paragon B391 which had been in port since the 17th August 2017.

Earlier in the morning thick fog rolled in which put the departure in jeopardy. Luckily the fog began to lift enough so the tugs connected up and got the platform on the move.

Lead tug Magne Viking, Bugsier 3 made fast on the port side, Multratug 20 made fast starboard side and Svitzer Shotley made fast aft.

With a Harwich Haven pilot onboard the Magne Viking, using all of his knowledge and skills he carefully plan the departure.   As the smaller tugs connect up, 3 of Paragon's legs are jacked up leaving just one still down.  Magne Viking connects up and then the last leg is jacked up and Paragon is finally floating.

 Steadily the tugs swing the platform around and get in position to start moving the Paragon B391 ahead. Increasing power on all the tugs, she begins to get some headway. 

Approaching the Shotley Spit the pilot begins to steer to starboard a few degrees at a time. On a southerly heading and now approaching the Beach End the pilot begins to steer to port to head out of the harbour into the North Sea.