Fred Olsen's Black Watch departs and swings from Harwich International 13th November 2017

Fred Olsen's 205 metre Black Watch departs Harwich International Port with the assistance Svitzer Shotley.

The Black Watch had been on a 3 night France and Belgium break to and from Harwich. The ship made their way from Boulonge in France to the Sunk where a pilot boarded to bring her portside to Parkeston Quay.  All of the Passengers disembarked the ship after their mini cruise. With just crew and pilot onboard they prepare to depart for their next port of Tilbury. 

Svitzer Shotley with Captian Good at the helm, leaves the tug pontoon at Felixstowe and paddles up the River Stour to the stern of the Black Watch.  The Shotley radios the Black Watch to go onto channel 13 to go through the plan of departure.  The pilot wanted the Shotley to make fast on the starboard quarter then a gentle pull away from the berth and then let go as they swing.

The last of the lines released, the pilot comes astern on the main engine while the Shotley pulls at between minimum weight and 10%. Steadily edging away from the berth the pilot comes ahead on the main engine then gets the Shotley to close up as they begin the starboard swing. Shotley breaks away and begins their way back to the tug pontoon.

The pilot continues the swing to starboard before coming ahead down the Stour passing the light ships moored off Shotley. The Black Watch swings to starboard to follow the channel out of the harbour past the second largest container ship Moscow Maersk which is twice as long as the Black Watch.