UASC's Al Nefud departs Felixstowe Berth 8 with assistance of two Svitzer tugs 26 04 17

UASC'S 18800teu 400 metre Al Nefud departs Felixstowe Berth 8 with the assistance of 2 Svitzer tugs.

The pilot was onboard for a 07:30 departure but radioed through to Harwich VTS shortly before 07:30 and gave an update that a twistlock was broken in a container under a stack. The tugs had left the tug pontoon heading to be made fast ready for the departure. The pilot suggested that the tugs to take a turn as they would be at least a 30 minute delay. The tugs decided to go back to the pontoon and wait for another update.

The crane driver had to remove containers on top of the faulty one and replace the broken twistlock and put the stack back together. After a 40 minute delay the crane driver had completed the task and began to boom up. Once the crane was booming up, the tugs make their approach to be made fast on the centre leads fore and aft. Svitzer Shotley aft and Svitzer Sky forward. As both tugs were made fast the pilot gives the orders to start singling up to the spring lines.

The tugs got in to position to pull off the berth. All lines let go the pilot gets both tugs to pull straight off at 25%. Edging away from the fenders the tugs increase to 50% then up to 75%. As she comes away from the berth the pilot uses the bow thrusters to help the bow into the tide the increases both tugs to full power.

Once in the channel the pilot gets the Svitzer Shotley on the aft to ease up and lay straight astern while the Svitzer Sky forward ease up and come in to let go. As the Sky's line was lowered and retrieved she breaks away to the Harwich side and makes her way back to the tug pontoon.

The Al Nefud needs a little help to steer out of the harbour as her size limits Maneuverability around the corner. The Beach End turn out of the harbour is a 90° angle. The Svitzer Shotley performs a powered in-direct at full line load to help the stern around the corner.

As she rounds the Beach End turn and proceeds on to a easterly heading the Shotley eases up and comes in to be released and heads back to the tug pontoon.

The Al Nefud heads out to the Sunk where the pilot disembarks and leaves the ship in good hands of the captain where they head to her next port of Rotterdam with a draft of 13.6 metres.