2nd largest container ship Madrid Maersk arrives to Felixstowe. 20th August 2017

The 2nd largest container ship Madrid Maersk arrives to the port of Felixstowe with a draft of 13.6 metres.

Shortly after 08:15, a Harwich Haven pilot boards the Madrid Maersk at the Sunk Pilot Station around 12 miles out in the North Sea.

Once onboard he radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound with a Maximum draft of 13.6 metres from Algeciras. VTS replies that there is a ready berth planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 9, wind speed and direction and the height of tide. The pilot replies that he require 2 tugs for berthing, the first an escort tug at 7&8 make fast centre lead aft, the second tug at the at the Platters lay alongside the starboard quarter. I will be a starboard swing off the berth.  Duty tug copies the conversation. As the forth tug was still manned they asked Harwich VTS if they could stand down. VTS replies that as the Madrid had ordered 2 tugs they couldn't see why not. The tug skipper replies that they will be on a 90 minute call if required.

Madrid Maersk making her way inbound via the deep channel, the Svitzer Kent and Svitzer Shotley leaves the tug pontoon and makes there way out to meet the the giant outside the harbour.  Svitzer Kent is made fast on the centre lead aft while the Shotley gets in position on the starboard quarter. Approaching the 90deg Beach End the pilot gets the Kent to go out on the port side for a powered indirect to help the Madrid to steer around the corner into the harbour.

Once in the harbour the the Kent eases up and goes right astern at 50% as a brake. Shortly after the pilot comes astern on the main engines and gets the Shotley to get in position for a push. In position the Shotley increases to 50% to start the swing. Some black smoke pours from the funnels as the pilot uses the bow thrusters to help the swing get mommentum. The Kent moves out onto the port quarter and begins to increases up to 50%. The pilot increases the tugs to 75% then up to full power.  Swinging around the berthing master comes on the radio and says that the car is in the bridge position. The pilot says that he sees them there and the final tie up would be 6 and 2 with springs first each end.

The pilot gets the Kent o come around onto the starboard side in a check position until they were alongside Felixtowe Berth 9.

ETD  Tuesday 22nd August 2017 at 21:00