OOCL Scandinavia departs Felixstowe with three Svitzer tugs 22nd March 2018

OOCL Scandinavia prepares to depart Felixstowe for her next port of Rotterdam with a draught of 13.6 metres. As the last crane booms up the pilot requests the three Svitzer tugs and the mooring gang.

With all ships over 395 metres, most Harwich Haven pilots prefer to have a 3212 escort tug made fast on the aft. The three tugs leave the tug pontoon to assist the pilot with the departure.

Svitzer Deben makes fast centre lead, Svitzer Shotley makes fast on the starboard quarter and Svitzer Sky takes the centre lead forward.  As the tugs backed away in to pull positions, lines fore and aft are slackened to single up. The last of the springs were released.

The pilot begins with the Deben and Sky with easy weights after a while the Shotley increases power on the quarter. All three tugs builds up power to bring the Scandinavia into the channel. Sky increases power on the bow to point the bow towards the Beach End corner.

The Shotley eases and closes up ready to let go and position on the port quarter to assist steering around the Beach End.  Sky also eases up ready to let go from forward
 Once the Sky's line drops in the water they spin around and heads back to the tug pontoon.

As the OOCL Scandinavia approaches the Fort Buoy, the pilot gets the Deben to go out on the starboard quarter for a powered indirect to help steer the vessel around the 90 degree Beach End.