Triple E Maribo Maersk arrives to Felixstowe on a busy day of ultra large vessels 22nd March 2018

Today was a busy day for the Port of Felixstowe as they had 4 ultra large movements. Firstly the MSC Sola arrived during the early hours for Berth 7, the latest world's largest container ship OOCL Scandinavia departed berth 8 then the Maribo Maersk arrived for Berth 9 and finally the OOCL Germany went alongside Berth 8 as the sun began to set.

12 miles out in the North Sea, a Harwich Haven pilot launch with a pilot aboard, goes alongside the Maribo Maersk at a steady 6-7 knots. Once onboard he radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound with a draught of 13.4 from Bremerhaven for Felixstowe via the deep water channel, he believed they were planned portside to Berth 9.  VTS confirms a ready berth, gives the wind speed and direction, height of tide and conflicting traffic.   The pilot requests two Svitzer tugs for berthing, the first tug at 7&8 Buoys to make fast centre lead aft and the second tug outside the harbour on the starboard quarter then once inside the harbour to make fast on the starboard shoulder for a starboard swing off the berth.

Svitzer Deben was the first tug to meet the inbound vessel. A quick swoop around the stern to pick up centre lead aft, Shotley also leaves the harbour swiftly and positions on the starboard quarter just as a backup if Maribo couldn't steer well enough around the 90 degree Beach End turn at the enterance of the harbour.

Once inside the harbour, Shotley comes away from the ships side and heads towards the bow where they make fast on the starboard shoulder.   The pilot uses the engines astern to reduce the headway.  After a few minutes the pilot kicks ahead on one engine to help clear the North Shelf Buoy and give Deben more room to swing the Maribo to starboard.

Shotley stretches their line as they move out on the starboard shoulder and increases power while Deben moves onto the port side to start the swing.  Carefully the the Maribo Maersk swings.  After swinging around 90 degrees the Shotley comes in for a push to maneoeure her closer to the berth.  Deben reappearing on the port side begins to run out of space so they repositions on the starboard side in a check position.

Shotley comes away from the shoulder into a check position aswell as the Maribo slides onto the fenders.

Final tie up 5 and 2 each end with springs first fore and aft.