Ultra large CSCL Pacific Ocean departs and swings with 3 Svitzer tugs. 15th December 2017

The 19100TEU CSCL Pacific Ocean (one of the lagest container ships in the world) prepares to depart Felixstowe on a bitterly cold and breezy afternoon. 

The Harwich Haven is dredged every ten weeks or so to keep the country moving. Boskalis sends their trailer suction hopper dredger  Barent Zanen accompanied by the plow dredger Norma and survey vessel Shamrock.  Earlier in the day, the Barent Zanen had sucked up a full load and headed out to the dumping ground out at the Inner Gabbard before proceeding inwards for another sweep of the harbour floor. As she was heading inbound the captian asks for an update on the traffic. Harwich VTS advised the Barent Zanen that the 400 metre CSCL Pacific Ocean would be leaving her berth and as she was head in she needs to swing to depart then needed a clear run to 5&6. Plan A was for the Barent Zanen to go in the North Channel as the Pacific Ocean heads out of the harbour but a bit of time passed as the last lashing was being finished off which meant the dredger would passing 7&8 buoys so the plan changed. The pilot onboard the CSCL Pacific Ocean agrees with a plan to hold alongside the berth until the Barent Zanen was around the Beach End and inside the harbour before breaking away from the berth.

The three Svitzer tugs which was ordered for departure leave the tug pontoon.The tugs make their way to stations, Svitzer Sky was the first to make fast on the port quarter, Svitzer Kent was the next to make fast on the centre lead forward and lastly the Svitzer Deben had to wait for a few offshore lines to be bought back onboard before making fast on the centre lead aft.

Barent Zanen inside the harbour, the pilot onboard the CSCL Pacific Ocean begins to single up and starts with the Kent forward pulling away from the berth followed by the Sky and Deben aft. Slowly increasing the tugs power to half power with the Kent forward increasing to full power. Edging into the channel the pilot trickles ahead on the main engine before geting the Sky to come in for a push while the Deben moves onto the starboard quarter ready to pull the stern around for a port swing.

Safely swung around the Kent eases up and comes in ahead to let go while the Sky comes away from the ships side to let go. The pilot requested the Sky to accompany them around the 90 degree Beach End. The CSCL Pacific Ocean building up their speed as they approaching the Fort Buoy, the pilot gets the Deben to move out on to the starboard side for a powered indirect. As the Deben increases the weight on the towing line they begin to produce a 15 degree list. The CSCL turning nicely around the corner, the Sky comes away from the ships side while the Deben eases up and comes in to retreive their tow line.