MSC Rifaya battles to depart Felixstowe in the brisk S/W wind. 28th January 2018

The 400 metre MSC Rifaya prepares to depart Felixstowe Berth 9 with a draught of 11.5 metres for her next port of Rotterdam. Two 2411 Svitzer tugs assist with the departure.

A Harwich Haven pilot boards the MSC Rifaya up the gangway from the quayside. The last crane booms up and the driver makes their way down the many flights of steps.

The pilot onboard requests the services ready to depart. Svitzer Sky and Svitzer Shotley makes their way from the tug pontoon to Berth 9. Mooring gang pulls up fore and aft and waits for the crew onboard to single up.  the pilot gets the Shotley to make fast centre lead aft and the Sky make fast on the starboard quarter. The forward lines begin to slacken and winched back onboard. As the the rest of the lines are released, the wind began to strengthen to a brisk 20-24 knots.

All lines back onboard the pilot gets both tugs to increase power to pull off the stern off the berth while the pilot uses the bow thruster to bring the bow out into the channel. The bow begins to move steadily away from the berth but with the pressure of the wind against the starboard side, the bow thrusters struggle and the bow edges closer and closer to the berth. The pilot gets the tugs to ease up so the bow could catch up. Finally with the bow catching up, the tugs start increasing power again until the Rifaya enters the channel. The pilot get the Sky to ease up to be released from the starboard quarter. While the sky is released, Shotley eases up and drops in astern. The pilot says the Shotley that they will be required for a powered indirect around the 90 degree Beach End turn out of the harbour. 

Sky released swings around the stern and stands by on the port quarter for the corner. The Rifaya eases ahead on the main engine and begins to build up some speed. Passing the Fort Buoy, the pilot gets the Shotley to move out onto the starboard side and give what they could for a powered indirect. As the ship approaches the Beach End, the pilot radios the Sky to position on the port quarter and give what they could. Safely around the Beach End, Sky breaks away from the ships side and heads back into the harbour.  Shotley eases up to drop in astern then slackens to close up ready to let go.