As space onboard East bound ships to the Far East from Europe are still at a premium, the Ultra large Majestic Maersk which arrived at Felixstowe on Wednesday 2 days previous with a draught of 13.8 metres from Bremerhaven. While alongside in Felixstowe, docker have been loading her with UK exports and containers with fresh air inside for the Far East.
Majestic Maersk's agent confirmed a departure time of 14:30 local time, she was ready way before then but as she deep draughted, she was tide restricted and had to wait for the tide window to head out of the harbour to the Sunk via the deep water channel.
The Harwich Haven pilot Mr Love boarded the Majestic from the shore and went through the plan of departure with the crew onboard. The pilot radios Harwich VTS to ask the all important question what was the tide doing? The tide was .2 of a metre above prediction. The pilot replies they were ready for the services and believed 2 tugs were ordered and she is deep draughted with a maximum of 15.5 metres for Tanjung Pelepas via the Suez Canal.
Svitzer Kent and Svitzer Deben paddles from the tug pontoon to assist the Majestic off the berth. Kent takes the centre lead aft and Deben takes the centre lead forward. The pilot holds on the berth until the DFDS ferry Britainnia Seaways has passed through the harbour and backs for her berth. Finally the springs are let go and the Deben begins with an easy pull of 10% as the wind was coming from a north-westerly direction. The pilot then starts the Kent off at 25% then increases the Deben to the same. Edging away from the berth the pilot increases both tugs to 50% shortly increasing Kent to 75% and decreasing Deben in stages to a all stop.
The Majestic Maersk off the berth and Kent decreasing the pilot begins to swing the bow into the channel by using the bow thrusters and increaing the Deben to full for a little while. Kent drops in astern as the Majestic comes ahead on the main engines. Deben eases up and comes in to let go from forward. As Majestic was heavily laden the pilot says to the tugs that he would like the normal procedure for the corner so once Deben was clear they break off on to the starboard side and steams around the stern to position on the port quarter ready to help her around the corner.
Speed increasing as they approach the Fort Buoy the pilot radios the Kent to say there was a yacht just outside the channel so when they were ready go out on the starboard side and give what they can. Kent replies that the weight was going on. A few moments later the pilot radios the Deben to angle up for a push. Both tugs use their power to help turn the Majestic Maersk around the 90° Beach End. Once around the Beach End the Deben comes away from the ships side while the Kent eases up and comes up to the transom to let go.
Comments
Post a Comment