After a week of strong winds the MSC Mirjam departs Felixstowe with two 3212 Svitzer tugs 15th February 2018

After a week of strong winds the MSC Mirjam departs Felixstowe with two 3212 Svitzer tugs. Svitzer Deben and Svitzer Kent are both made fast on the centre leads.   About 10:30am, a Harwich Haven Pilot boarded the deep draughted MSC Cristina at the Sunk heading inbound for Berth 7. A while later another Harwich Haven Pilot boarded the MSC Mirjam alongside Berth 9.

 Plan A was to wait for the MSC Cristina pass before slipping away. So as the Cristina passed the mooring gang released the 2 springs each end off the bollards.  The pilot gets both tugs to pull straight off at 50% before increasing them to full power before decreasing the Deben.  The pilot wanted the Mirjam to go stern first out from the berth with help of the tide and wind.

After a short while the pilot uses the bow thrusters then increases the Deben to full weight to swing the bow into the channel.  As the pilot comes ahead on the main engine he gets the Kent drop in astern. Deben eases and slackens ready to let go.

 The pilot did not require the Deben any longer so they headed back to the pontoon. Whereas the pilot wanted to keep the Kent fast aft for the 90 degree Beach End turn out of the harbour just incase he needs a little help steering into the North Sea.