Maiden voyage of the OOCL Scandinavia to the Port of Felixstowe 4th January 2018

Slight correction to the beginning sequence, the OOCL Scandinavia was built November 2017 not 2018.

The OOCL Scandinavia on her maiden voyage sailed from her last port of Singapore to Europe with a maximum draught of 15.2 metres to make her maiden call to the Port of Felixstowe via the Suez Canal.

As the OOCL Germany departs Felixstowe Berth 8, a Harwich Haven pilot heads out to the Sunk to board the OOCL Scandinavia. Once onboard he talks with the captain to agree a plan of berthing. The pilot radios Harwich VTS to say they would like three Svitzer tugs for berthing. First at 7&8 Buoys and make fast centre lead aft, second also outside the harbour to lay alongside in a push position and make fast on the starboard quarter and the third inside the harbour on a bow to bow for the centre lead forward. The pilot also said he would do a starboard swing off the berth.

OOCL Scandinavia heading inwards at the Harwich Approach Buoy, OOCL Germany was heading outbound in the main channel at 7&8 Buoys to the Sunk DW Anchorage. Both ships pass each other before 5&6 Buoys where the channel narrows.

Svitzer Deben which had finished with the OOCL Germany was waiting outside the harbour for the Scandinavia to get closer to the harbour.  A short while later Svitzer Deben makes their approach to make fast centre lead aft and Svitzer Shotley makes their way out of the harbour to make fast on the starboard quarter. 

Approaching the 90 degree Beach End turn at the enterance of the harbour.  Svitzer Deben is asked to assist the ship turning to starboard by moving out onto the port quarter at full line load for a powered indirect.

Safely inside the harbour Svitzer Sky make their approach to make fast centre lead forward.   Deben drops in astern and leans back at 50% to reduce the speed of the Scandinavia.  Tracking North the ship tries to swing with the wind so the pilot gets the Deben to favour to starboard quarter at a 45 degree angle to counteract the swinging, back under control the Deben moves back in astern. The pilot goes astern on the main engine while the Shotley squares up and begins to build to a 50% push as the pilot starts to increase the power of the bow thrusters. Deben moves onto the port quarter and begins to increase power to swing the stern while the Sky moves out onto the starboard shoulder and builds up power to swing the bow.

Swinging to starboard off the berth, the Sky eases up and moves onto the portside to begin pulling the ship towards the berth. Sky and Deben running out of space moves around on to the starboard side in check positions while the Shotley pushes further towards the berth.