Ultra large MSC Zoe arrives at Felixstowe, 2 tugs assist with starboard swing 13th August 2017

The 19224TEU MSC Zoe arrives to the Port of Felixstowe with a maximum draft of 12.6 metres from her last port of Algeciras.

The pilot boards the Zoe at the Sunk around 12 miles off the East anglian coast. Once onboard he radios Harwich VTS and says they were inbound for Felixstowe via the deep water berth. VTS replies that there was a ready berth planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 9. The pilot replies that he would like 2 tugs for berthing, the first at the usual place 7&8 Buoys to make fast centre lead aft and the second tug ouside the harbour to position on the starboard quarter then move further forward to push by the funnel for a starboard swing off the berth.

The Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon to be the aft tug shortly followed by the Svitzer Sky.
Rounding the Beach End the MSC Zoe begins to drop off some of her speed with the help of the Deben going straight astern. The Pilot comes astern on the engine while slightly using port rudder and bow thrusters. 

Once the ship has come to a crawl the pilot begins the starboard swing by getting the Sky to push up full by the funnels and the Deben to move out on the port quarter and go on full power when they were clear of the North Shelf Buoy.

Swung around the Pilot radios the Berthing master to find out where the bridge position was. As normal the bridge was marked by the master's car. Pilot spotting it he confirms that it will be a final tie up of 5 and 2 each end springs first.

Deben running out of shace on the portside moves on to the starboard side in a check position. Sky pushes up most of the way to the berth then stops as the stern was heading for the berth before the bow so the Deben starts off with an easy check increasing to 25%. Once alongside the Sky pushes up to hold her alongside while she was made fast on the berth.

ETD 1900 Tuesday 15th August 2017 bound for Antwerp.


Deano C

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