Approaching the Inner Sunk Light Vessel the St Christopher swings around and lays alongside the United Kingdom to board the pilot at a speed of about 7 knots then peels away once boarded.
The pilot heads up to the bridge where he goes through the plan for berthing. Once a plan was finalised he radios Harwich VTS to confirm they were inbound with a draught of 15.4 metres from Singapore and portside to Felixstowe Berth 8. VTS replies that there was a ready berth planned portside to Berth 8, wind on the Landguard 277 degrees 5-8 knots and traffic information the 400 metre OOCL Japan outbound at the Harwich Approach Buoy.
The pilot replies that he would like three tugs for the starboard swing and berthing, first one at 7&8 centre lead aft ready for powered indirect, second tug on the starboard quarter outside the harbour for a push at the Beach End then push round inside the harbour and the third inside the harbour bow to bow. Duty tug copied of the tug requirements.
The United Kingdom passes her sister ship the OOCL Japan at the South Shipwash. Both pilots say good afternoon as they pass.
Svitzer Kent heads out of the harbour shortly followed by the Svitzer Sky. The pilot and tugs go to channel 12 on the radio. The pilot goes through the plan again.
Svitzer Kent makes fast centre lead aft while Svitzer Sky makes their approach on to starboard quarter. Approaching the Platters the pilot give the Kent to go out on the port quarter at full line load while the Sky pushes up at a 45 degree angle but soon told to stop and lay alongside just in case they are needed again.
Safely in the harbour Shotley makes their approach for the heaving line forward as the Kent eases up and goes straight astern 25% then asked to favour the starboard side increase to 75%. When clear of the MSC Leanne in berth 9 the pilot gets the Sky to push up full while Shotley moves out on the starboard shoulder at 50%. Kent moves out on the port quarter and begins to increase power up to 75%. The pilot gives a kick astern then a few ahead as the swing progresses.
Swung around the pilot asks the Shotley to get in for a push but they would have to go quite far up the ships side so instead they go onto the portside and pulls United Kingdom closer to the berth before running out of space. Kent and Shotley move around to the starboard side in check positions while Sky pushes up midships to push her towards the berth. The pilot uses the the centre lead tugs to straighten her up onto the berth.
Final tie up 6 and 2 each end with forward springs then one aft spring followed by fore and aft line then the last stern spring.
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