During the Globe's voyage to Europe she visits Felixstowe, Rotterdam Gdansk, Wilhelmshaven and back to Felixstowe before heading to the Far East via the Suez Canal.
When she arrived to Felixstowe for the first visit on the voyage, 14th September, she had a draft of 15.7 metres emptying some of the cargo holds which was destined for UK.
12 days later she arrives to Felixstowe for the Eastern leg of the journey with a draft of 11.7 metres.
As they approach British waters for Felixstowe, a Harwich Haven pilot boards the globe at the Sunk Pilot Station which is about 12 miles out in the North Sea. Once onboard the pilot plans the passage to the berth including how the tugs will the used to Berth her on Felixstowe Berth 8.
The pilot radios Harwich VTS when the plan is finalised and says what they are going to do. Firstly he says he is onboard with a draft of 11.7 metres for Felixstowe Berth 8 portside to. VTS replies that there is a ready berth planned portside to Berth 8, wind in the harbour, height of tide and conflicting traffic.
The pilot replies that he would like 2 tugs for berthing, the first at 7&8 centre lead aft and the second inside the harbour bow to bow. Duty tug copied the conversation.
The pilot which had took out the OOCL Hong Kong a little earlier in the afternoon wanted to go on the centre lead aft tug. He was unsure if he would make it back to the pontoon in time so he asked if they could do a transfer launch to tug as they were head out.
As the Svitzer Kent passes the MSC Viviana alongside on Berth 9 the pilot launch radios the Kent to say they would board on the starboard side on a southerly heading 6-8knots.
The Kent meets the CSCL Globe at 7&8 to make fast centre lead aft. A short while later the Svitzer Sky leaves the tug pontoon and waits just inside the harbour to go bow to bow for the centre. The speed to 6 and a half knots over the ground, Sky makes their approach and made fast forward.
The pilot gets the Kent to lay back at 50% to help reduce the speed ready to swing. The Globe comes astern on the main engine to bring her to a halt so the tugs could move in to their positions to swing her around 180deg to go portside to on the berth.
Sky moves out to the port shoulder while the Kent moves out to the starboard quarter and both tugs increase their power to 75% to get her swinging. The pilot gives a few kicks astern while swinging. Once swung the Sky is released from forward and pushes up by the funnel as the Globe goes astern for the berth.
Almost on the berth the pilot gets the Kent to check 50% to ease her straight onto the berth with a final tie up of 6 and 2 each end.
No comments:
Post a Comment