When the pilot left the harbour on an outbound pilot launch a crane on Felixstowe berth 9 was still boomed down broken. Engineers had been working hard to fix the problem as soon as the Maribo had vacated the berth.
Once onboard the MSC Venice the pilot radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound for Felixstowe berth 9 with a maximum draft of 10.6 metres from Wilhelmshaven. VTS replies that there is a ready berth on Felixstowe 9 planned portside to and the current wind speed and direction which was mostly NW 18 knots. The pilot required 2 tugs for berthing first one at the usal place and the second inside the harbour. He also asked if the crane was still down, it was at present so the pilot said he would swing off the Guard in the middle of the harbour.
As the Venice was heading inbound the engineers had managed to fix the problem and lifted the boom up. VTS gave the pilot the good news so he changed his plan and swung off the berth instead.
Svitzer Kent headed out from their last job which was the MSC Joy to paddle out to be the first tug and make fast starboard of centre aft. The Svitzer Sky does the same and head out of the harbour. The pilot goes onto channel 12 with the tugs and goes through the plan which was an indirect around the Beach End from Kent then use them as a brake and Sky to meet them inside the harbour to push on the port quarter near the funnel for the swing then make fast centre lead forward for a check as they approach the berth.
Sky heads back inside the harbour and waits near the Fort Buoy for the MSC Venice to come around the corner.
Safely in the harbour the pilot stops the engine and get the Kent to go full straight astern to kill thye speed for the port swing. Sky in place, the pilot gets them to push full power while the Kent to make their way over to the starboard quarter to take her around.
Due to her being so light she swung around fairly rapidly. The Sky comes away from the ships side to make fast centre lead forward. Once fast they were required to check full so stop the bow heading towards the fenders to quickly. Both tugs hold her back from the NW winds pushing her towards the berth. Steadily she edges alongside and the spring line heaving lines were thrown to the mooring gang waiting to make her fast.
ETD 20:00h Saturday 15th July for Antwerp.
Deano C
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