Ultra large MSC Leanne swings off the berth with three Svitzer tugs for Felixstowe Berth 9. 10.03.18

As the rain began to fall, Svitzer Deben and Svitzer Shotley leave the tug pontoon to head out to meet a previous Guinness World record holder, 19437TEU MSC leanne.  The MSC Leanne had sailed from Colombo in Sri Lanka with a maximum draught of 14.3 metres as she sails as part of the 2M alliance AE1 with Maersk Line. When she approached the Sunk, a deep water berth was not available until the tide restricted Madrid Maersk had left Felixstowe Berth 9. The MSC Leanne was also tide restricted due to a 14.3 metre draught so she had to wait for the next flooding tide. 

Harwich Haven Pilot boards the MSC Leanne at the Sunk. He requests three Svitzer tugs for berthing to go portside to Felixstowe Berh 9. Two tugs outside and the third inside the harbour on a bow to bow the swing to starboard off the berth.

Svitzer Deben makes fast centre lead aft while the shotley positions on the starboard quarter. Approaching the 90 degree Beach End Svitzer Deben moves out onto the port side at full line load for a powered indirect to safely bring the 400 metre vessel into the harbour. Svitzer Kent makes their approach for the centre lead forward.  Deben drops back in astern but a few momments later the pilot gets the move out onto the starboard quarter to stop the stern swinging too far.  Kent fast forward stretching their line ready to work.

The pilot goes astern on the main engine to slow her down enough for the swing but soon has to kick ahead as the Deben would not of had space to clear the South Shelf Buoy. Shotley squares up and pushes on the starboard quarter. Deben moves around to the port quarter to start taking the stern around while the Kent moves out onto the starboard shoulder to take the bow around.  Swinging around the pilot eases up the Shotley while getting the Kent to move around onto the portside to help the Leaane get closer to the berth.

As the Leanne approaches the berth, Deben and Kent run out of space on the portside and get in check positions on the starboard side.     Crew onboard MSC Leanne throw heaving lines to the mooring gang on the berth. Once alongside the lines one by one were made fast on the bollards.

Final tie up 4, 2 and 2 each end with the spring lines first.