Magleby Maersk departs felixstowe with 2 tugs and disappears into the night 7th November 2017

As there was 2 ultra large ships waiting out in the North Sea for the Magleby Maersk to leave, the pilot boards Magleby from the shore side and radios Harwich VTS to say there was 2 lift to go, a bit of lashing and then they are ready for departure.

two Svitzer tugs stood by the ship so they were ready when the pilot was ready. The last crane began to boom up which was a sign they were almost ready to depart. The pilot radios the tugs to go on the working channel 12 to assist.

Svitzer Shotley was around but the starboard shoulder waiting the pilot to say where to make fast. Finally the pilot radios the tugs, the Deben centre and Shotley make fast on the starboard quarter. 

Shotley goes astern from the shoulder to the quarter and receives a heaving line to make fast.  Once fast they pay out their line to safe working length.  Two of the head and stern lines are released to make it easier for the Deben to retreive a heaving line. 

Both tugs fast, they get in position ready to pull Magleby Maersk off the berth. As the last of the fore and aft lines are released the springs were next to be released and then the pilot radios the tugs to go straight on at full power. Shotley roughly at 80% power is told to hold it at that until the pilot drops both tugs power to let the bow catch up. 

With the bow thrusters working hard on the bow both tugs increase to get her further in to the middle of the channel before Shotley eases up to let go.  Once released the Shotley comes around the stern to position on the port quarter while the Deben eases up and drops in astern as the pilot comes ahead on both engines. 

Shortly before the Fort Buoy the Shotley pushes up full power while the Deben moves out on the starboard quarter at full line load for a powered indirect.