OOCL Germany appears through the fog to swing for Felixstowe Berth 8 with 2 tugs 20th December 2017

The OOCL Germany is the second to be built out of six and currently the world's largest container ship class arrives to a foggy Felixstowe.

The visibility wasn't the best, only 3-4 cables at the most with it decreasing to 1-2 in places.  Harwich Haven Authority has procedures in place for foggy weather conditions.  When visibility is poor a vessel separation scheme is inforce which means one way traffic both inbound and outbound vessel of the harbour.

With a draught of 14.3 metres from Singapore the OOCL Germany required one of the deep water berths at Felixstowe, currently Berths 8&9 have cranes tall enough to service the world's largest container ships. Felixstowe are heightening 10 cranes on berths 6&7 so they can service 4 of the largest ships at the same time.

A Harwich Haven pilot boards the OOCL Germany at the Sunk Pilot Station which is on the edge of British waters and begins to proceed inwards via the deep water channel.

The pilot requests two Svitzer tugs for berthing, as the pilot was onboard a mega ship with a deep draught he preferred to have an escort tug to meet outside the harbour at 7&8 Buoys to made fast on the centre lead aft to help steering around the 90 degree turn into the harbour, the second tug to meet at the Beach End on a bow to bow. As the pilot was unsure of visibility in the harbour he said if visibility was poor they would go starboard side to Berth 8 but if it was better they would swing and to go portside to Berth 8.

Visibility improving in the harbour. Svitzer Deben heads out very close to the edge of the channel on the green buoy side shortly followed by the Svitzer Sky also on the green side of the channel. 

Deben all fast aft favours the portside ready to assist the OOCL Germany into the harbour. The pilot gets the Deben to go out on the port quarter for a powered indirect.

Once inside the harbour the pilot says he was happy with the visibility so they will be doing a starboard swing to portside to the berth.

Svitzer Sky makes fast centre lead forward. Passing the berth 9 the pilot gets the Deben to move onto the port quarter ready to swing the stern while the Sky moves onto the starboard shoulder. Both tugs begins to increase power and the Germany swings to starboard.

Almost swung the pilot gets the Sky to close up and let go so they could push up somewhere midships or near the funnel.

Final tie up 6 and 2 with springs first fore and aft.