One of the world's largest container ships, OOCL Scandinavia, prepares to depart Felixstowe heavily laden for her next port of Singapore with a maximum draught of 15 metres. Before the pilot boarded he had already said that he would require 3 tugs for the departure but as the new cranes were positioned on the middle of Berths 8&9 and were positioned over her bow a fourth tug would be required for safety reasons.
The pilot boards the OOCL Scandinavia and radios Harwich VTS to say that the ship was slightly heavier than predicted at 15.2 metres so with a few calculations the vessel would need atleast 2.2 metres on the tide before departing. Duty tug, Svitzer Kent radios the OOCL Scandinavia to find out how the pilot would like the tugs. The plan was to have the two 3212's on the centre leads fore and aft with the two 2411's on the starboard quarter and starboard shoulder. As the wind was slightly off the berth the quarter and shoulder tugs were to push up as the ship singled up and let go. The pilot then both 3212's to assist with the Beach End corner out of the harbour.
The four tugs that were requested, leave the tug pontoon and head to stations. Svitzer Kent goes to the stern for the centre lead aft while the Svitzer Deben goes under the bow for the centre lead forward. A few minutes later the Svitzer Shotley makes fast on the starboard quarter while the Svitzer Sky makes fast on the starboard shoulder.
The DFDS ferry Suecia Seaways was heading inbound from the North for Felixstowe Ro-Ro 4 Berth. With the Scandinavia unable to break away for another 20-30 minutes, VTS radios the pilot to check if the Suecia could slip through before they break away. The Suecia presses on passing 7&8 buoys
Sky and Shotley both push up as the Suecia Seaways enters the harbour, the OOCL Scandinavia lets go of the rest of the lines with springs to be released last. Deben and Kent builds up to a 50% pull as the Sky and Shotley back away from the ship to increase power when in position. The ship begins to edge away from the berth with all four tugs pulling. The pilot gets the Shotley to ease down and come in to let go. A little while later the Sky eases and closes up to let go.
The OOCL Scandinavia slowly coming ahead on the main engine, Kent aft stops towing and drops in astern while the Deben stops towing forward and drops in right ahead to let go. After letting go they retreive their gear and peel off onto the Felixstowe side and makes their way to the port quarter to assist with the Beach End.
Approaching the Fort Buoy, the pilot gives the heads up that he would require both tug to help turning the 90 degree Beach End corner. Firstly the Kent moves out onto the starboard side at full line load for a powered indirect while the Deben pushes up full power at a 45 degree angle on the port quarter to help steer the OOCL around the corner.
Once safely around the corner Deben breaks away fromt the ships side and Kent closes up to the transom to retrieve their gear and head back ito the harbour to wait for their next job of the afternoon.
No comments:
Post a Comment