Fully loaded Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller's departure from Felixstowe with 2 tugs. 7th September 2017

The first ship to be built in the record breaking Maersk Triple E Class, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, sets sail from Felixstowe fully loaded with a maximum draft of 14.3 metres for Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia via the Suez Canal. While in Felixstowe she had been loading up with exports from the UK but mostly with fresh air (empties) and recycled plastic.

The Harwich Haven Pilot headed over to Felixstowe on a pilot launch from Harwich to board the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller. Cargo operations were still continuing for some time but the pilot believed that they would load another 10 boxes and whatever was not loaded would be left behind as she was tide restricted due to her draft.

Finally finished cargo the two tugs were making their way over to pull the Triple E off the berth. The dockside crew wanted to roll 2 cranes off the stern to the MSC Mirjam on Berth 8 but the berthing master said it would take too long to boom up and roll across so they were told to boom up and make their way down to for safety as the Mc-Kinney Moller departs.  As they preparing to depart the Svitzer Deben had finished a repair onboard and needed to test it out. The quay wall as a bit hard so they asked if they could test it by pushing up on a tug marker around midships while they singled up and then get out of the way when they departed. The pilot said it would be ok.

To make it easier for the tugs fast,  the offshore lines were released. Svitzer Kent was made fast centre lead aft while Svitzer Sky was made fast centre lead forward. The rest of the lines were slackened and released as the tugs got in position. Last of the spring lines released, the pilot begins by getting the Kent to pull 25% then increasing to 50. Sky begins to pull 25% shortly increasing up to 50% then decreasing back to 25 as the bow was coming out quicker than planned. The Kent aft increases to 75% then full power to get the stern into the tide.

After a little while the pilot gets the Sky to build up power to start swinging the bow outwards, a steady pull building up to full power. Kent decreases and drops in astern as the bow swings into the channel, to get ready twith the usual proceedure for the corner . Positioned in the channel, head out, the pilot gets the Sky to go dead ahead to slacken down to be released.  The line drops into the water and Sky peels off onto the Felixstowe side retreiving their lead as they go. Sky is asked to position on the portside most aft pushing point ready for a push indirect.

Passing the Fort Buoy the pilot gets the Kent to go out on the starboard quarter at full power indirect. The Sky just about lands on the tug marker and positions at a 45deg for a push as they round the 90deg Beach End out of the harbour.

Safely aroud the corner and heading outbound for the Sunk, Sky eases up and breaks away from the ships side while the Kent come up to the transom to retreive their line and heads back in the harbour.