The pilot boards the Mogens Maersk at the Sunk Pilot Station 12 nautical miles off the East Anglian coast. Once onboard the pilot says that he is inbound, draft of 12 metres and was heading for Felixstowe Berth 8. Harwich VTS confirms that the berth is clear and she is planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 8. With the winds 18 to 22 knots the pilot orders 3 tugs for berthing.
As the Mogens Maersk approached the Harwich Approach Buoy the Svitzer Deben heads out to be the first tug. Passing 7&8 Buoys the Deben slows up and waits for the Mogens to pass so they could make come up astern to be made fast on the centre lead aft. Getting closer the harbour the Svitzer Shotley heads out and positions on the most aft tug marker on the starboard side just incase the Mogens need a little help rounding the 90° Beach end into the harbour.
A little while later the Svitzer Sky heads to meet the Mogens on a North/South heading just inside the harbour to be made fast on the centre lead forward on a bow to bow. The crew onboard had a weighted heaving line ready to throw down to the Sky so they could be made fast. Slowly moving towards the middle of the harbour, the pilot stops the main engines then trickles the starboard engine ahead hard to starboard to help the stern turn ready for the port swing.
On a westerly heading the pilot starts the swing by getting the Svitzer Deben to go out on the starboard quarter at full power, Svitzer Shotley to push full on the port quarter and Svitzer Sky to come out on the port shoulder at full power to take her round.
Almost swung the Shotley eases up and moves around to the starboard quarter and pushes up full while the Sky eases up and moves into a check position on the starboard side. Edging towards the berth the pilot gets Svitzer Deben to move out to the starboard side into a check position. Just off the berth the pilot gets the Sky and Deben to check 25% for a soft landing onto the fenders on Berth 8.
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