OOCL Scandinavia swings to port with 4 tugs for Felixstowe 9 in blustery conditions. 10th March 2021

The OOCL Scandinavia arrives to the Port of Felixstowe on a blustery day from her last port of call Gdansk.

As she approaches the Sunk Pilot Station which is around 12 miles out in the North Sea, a Harwich Haven Pilot launch tries to head out towards the pilot station in ever increasing choppy waters to board two pilots onboard the OOCL Scandinavia.

Before the pilot had even left the harbour he already knew he would need atleast three tugs for berthing. Just after 8am the pilot radios Harwich VTS to confirm that they were onboard and inbound for Felixstowe Berth 9. they require three tugs for berthing. First at 7&8 buoys centre lead aft and ready for powered indirect. Second tug to be a 3212, by the Platters for a push indirect around the corner then make fast on the quarter on Northerly heading, third tug bow to bow inside the harbour. VTS replies that there was a ready berth planned port side to and continues with the wind on the Landguard and height of tide.
With the impending arrival of the OOCL Scandinavia clashing with the Stena ferries departures, VTS gave the ferrie the opportunity to be be ready to sail within the nest 10-15 minutes but unfortunately they still had cargo to finish off. With cargo still to go and the OOCL Scandinavia increasing speed to about 14 knots, their window to get past 5&6 Buoys had ran out so they both had to wait for her to swing and start pushing up towards the berth.

Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon to be the centre lead aft. Shortly after, the Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon to be the starboard quarter tug. A little while later Svitzer Sky leaves the pontoon to be the starboard quarter tug and Svitzer Shotley leave the pontoon to be the centre lead forward tug.

Approaching 7&8 Buoys, the pilot radios the rigs to go through the berthing plan. The two big tugs to meet outside the harbour and prepare themselves for powered indirect around the 90° Beach End turn into the harbour. Once on a Northerly heading Kent, Sky and Shotley were to make fast for a port swing off the berth for Felixstowe berth 9.

Just as the OOCL Scandinavia approaches the Platters Buoy, the pilot gets the Deben to move out onto the port side at full line load to help steer the 400 metre into the harbour. The pilot also gets the Kent to come alongside at a 45° angle to push up on the starboard quarter at 75% power but soon increasing to full power. With a rate of turn of 15° she enters the harbour. Now the hard work begins of safely berthing this massive ship.

All tugs fast, the pilot begins with the Deben with a pull straight back to slow her up to a very gentle crawl. The pilot soon realising that the Deben has done her job too well, he kicks ahead the main engine to get her into the swinging position. Kent moves away from the ships side ready to work, Shotley on the bow moves out onto the port side ready to swing. Sky squares up in the starboard shoulder and awaits further instruction. Deben moves out onto the starboard quarter and starts to build power.

All four tugs with variable weights safely swing her to port. Harwich VTS radios the Stena Forerunner and Stena Britannica to give them permission to proceed off the berth outbound. With the wind gusts increasing to 25 knots the four tugs move into check positions to help reduce the windage on the starboard side. The pilot gets the Sky and Kent to come in to push her towards the berth but a few minutes later both back away again to check positions. Edging ever closer to the berth, the Kent comes back in for the push. Just off the fenders, the pilot get the Shotley to move straight ahead with 25% power so the OOCL Scandinavia doesn't drift astern with the strong current and strength of the wind.

Safely alongside the kent and Sky pushes up at full power to hold her in position while the mooring gang made her fast alongside.

Final tie up 4, 4 and 2 each end with 2 aft springs and 1 spring forward then head and stern lines then the second forward spring. There were 2 extra line forward and aft due to predicted 60mph winds forcasted during her stay in port

Видео OOCL Scandinavia swings to port with 4 tugs for Felixstowe 9 in blustery conditions. 10th March 2021 канала Deano C's Harwich Haven videos