OOCL Germany vacates Felixstowe Berth 8 after the Storm Eleanor batters the country 4th January 2018

As yet another winter storm battered the country, most of the country ground to holt including Felixstowe. West of the country got the brunt of the power of Storm Eleanor with wind gust upto 100mph. Luckily the port only recorded a gust of 57mph but it was still enough to close the port.

OOCL Germany had arrived to Felixstowe on 1st January, during her time in port Storm Eleanor was making her presence at the port. All ship to shore container movements ceased as the wind increased over the safe working conditions.

With Berth 9 occupied by MSC Reef, the OOCL Scandinavia which had been scheduled to arrive today but no berths were available. A plan was made for the Germany to sail and anchor out at the Sunk then return when a berth became available.

With a busy morning of movements firstly the MSC Reef arriving, MSC carouge departing, MSC Carmen and CMA CGM Racine arriving.
The pilot boards the OOCL Germany from the quayside and radios to get the mooring gang and tugs to the ship, the CMA CGM Racine was in the last approaches to the harbour so the plilot held alongside until the Racine had passed before departing the Berth.  Svitzer Deben was made fast centre lead aft and the Svitzer Kent was made fast centre lead forward.  The pilot begins to increase the power of Deben to 25% steadily increasing to full, Kent goes straight in for a 50 pull before increasing to full.

Once off the berth the Kent eases up to let go as the pilot trickles ahead on the main engine. Kent peels off onto the Felixstowe side leaving the OOCL Germany and Svitzer Deben to pick up speed to head out of the harbour. Deben is released and waits outside the harbour for the inbound OOCL Scandinavia.
OOCL Germany passes her sister ship OOCL Scandinavia in the deep water channel.