18270TEU Mathilde Maersk battles the winds as she sails from Felixstowe with 2 tugs 4th October 2017

This was the first mega ship of the day to either depart or arrive at the Port of Felixstowe.

 The pilot boarded and radios Harwich VTS that he would be on the drag because of a re-seat and then another box arrived very late to go onboard. Finally the last boom went up and crane driver made his way down. Mooring gang gave the go ahead to single up to make fast the 2 Svitzer tugs. Svitzer Deben took the centre lead aft and Svitzer Shotley took the centre lead forward. Tugs fast, last of the lines were released and then the pilot begins with the departure.

Both tugs are asked to start off at 25% then increasing to 50%. Svitzer Deben increases to 75% and then full power to try to bring the stern into the tide and wind. Very steadily the Mathilde begins to swing her bow into the channel so the pilot gets the Deben to drop in astern while the Shotley comes in to let go.

As the Shotley is released the bow begins to swing back towards the berth so the pilot uses the bow thrusters to bring her into the channel again while coming ahead on both engines. Shotley positions on the port quarter as this is usually procedure for mega ships.

Coming ahead towards the Beach End the pilot gets the Deben to go out on the starboard side for an indirect at full power to help her steer around the corner safely then proceed to the Sunk where the pilot disembarks onto a Harwich Haven pilot launch back in to the harbour.