Deep draughted OOCL Japan departs Felixstowe bound for Singapore 9th November 2017

As the OOCL Japan prepares to depart with Mr Ian Love onboard, the pilot launch St Christopher heads out to the Sunk with the pilot Mr Prithvi Partap Singh to board the maiden voyage OOCL United Kingdom bound for Felixstowe Berth 8.

Two Svitzer tugs, Svitzer Kent and Svitzer Shotley leave the tug pontoon to assist with the departure. As OOCL Japan was deep draughted 14.6 metres and one of the largest container ships in the world, the pilot preferred if he could have a 3212 tug aft. So Svitzer Kent made their approach for the centre lead aft while the Svitzer Shotley slotted between the bow of the OOCL Japan and the stern of the MSC Leanne to make fast.

Just as the tugs were about to make fast the pilot had some news which was going to delay the Japan leaving. A container was not loaded correctly and had to be reseated. The crane boom came down as the tugs backed away. A short while later the pilot radios the tugs to make their approach again.
Shotley was the first to make fast on the centre lead forward and Kent followed suit on the aft. They both get in pull positions while the fore and aft lines are singled up to just springs.

The pilot radios the tugs to stretch their lines as the springs were released. The pilot starts off with Shotley at 25% and then Kent to 25%. As the ship just about moving off the berth the Kent and Shotley increases to 50%. Steadily edging away from the berth, the pilot increases the Kent to 75% then increasing both further to full power before dropping the Kent to all easy while the Shotley pulls the bow out into the channel.

The pilot comes ahead on the main engine and gets the Shotley to go right ahead with the power still on, shortly after the Shotley eases up and slackens down to let go. Kent drops in astern as the OOCL Japan comes ahead.

The pilot says to both tugs as they come ahead 'usual procedure for the corner.'
Shotley released from forward peels off onto the Felixstowe side and swings around to position on the port quarter ready to push for the corner.

Approaching the Fort Buoy the pilot gets the Shotley to nose up at a 45 degree angle on the most aft tug marker on the portside and increase to full power while the Kent goes out on the starboard side for a powered indirect around the 90 degree Beach End turn out of the harbour.

Safely around the Beach End, Shotley eases up and comes away from the ships side while the Kent eases up and closes up to the transom to retreive their tow line before peeling away.

The OOCL Japan passes her sister ship the OOCL United Kingdom which is on a maiden voyage to Europe. Both pilots say good afternoon to each other as they pass each other.