MSC Nela finally leaves Felixstowe after the wild weather. 5 tugs assist. 13th January 2023

Previously
Wednesday 11th January, the MSC nela was meant to be departing Felixstowe on the afternoon flooding tide but soon came under a tricky situation. Bad weather was closing in on the port making the departure slightly more dangerous with the gusty south westerly winds. Berthing had been told that there was an issue with a box but it was under a few making the job harder. Four tugs standing by the ship waiting for instructions soon hear that there would probably be about an hour delay so they went back to the pontoon. Unfortunately the tidal window was diminishing any hopes of departing.
While the winds increased over the next 3 high tides, there was only 2 choices MSC had 1) stay alongside and wait out the weather causing a massive strain on the port and ships waiting for that berth. 2) get another tug to come to Felixstowe and assist with the departure.
After arranging another tug to come Friday morning, the agent and Harwich Haven Authority confirmed that she would be leaving after 2 whole days extra alongside.
MSC Nela 14.4 metre draught bound for Tangier Med.
The 5th tug Multratug 18 arrived earlier in the morning from Flushing, Netherlands to help with the departure.

2 pilots board the MSC Nela from the shore side and prepare for departure. Once prepared, the pilot gets the tugs to come from the pontoon area and gets the mooring gang to come to assist with the departure.

The tugs start to come out 1 by 1 to assist. The pilot required the 2 bigger tugs on centre leads fore and aft, 2 on the quarter and the 5ths on the shoulder. The crew slacken a few head lines and brought back onboard to allow more space for the tugs to make fast.

Svitzer Kent makes fast centre lead aft
Svitzer Shotley makes fast starboard quarter
Svitzer Sky makes fast starboard quarter by funnel
Multratug 18 makes fast starboard shoulder
Svitzer Deben makes fast centre lead forward
With permission from Harwich VTS to break away from Felixstowe Berth 9. The last lines to go was the spring lines.
All tugs starts off at 25% then build up to 75% with forward tugs increasing up to full power. Steadily she comes away from the berth box into the Channel. The pilot gets the aft tugs reduce their power then increase again as the wind begins to batter on the starboard side back towards the berth. Responding well with the tugs pulling towards the middle of the channel, the pilot trickles ahead to stop the ship drifting too far astern.

Increasing the revvs ahead, Kent drops in astern as the Sky stops towing and comes in to let go. Shotley comes in to let go. Deben then goes right ahead and comes in to let go from forward. Multratug 18 come in to let go. The Deben comes around to the port quarter for push indirect. Headway Increasing to about 7 knots, the pilot gets the Kent to move out onto the starboard side for a 75% powered indirect around the Beach End turn out of the harbour.

Safely around the corner, the Deben is stood down. Shortly after, the pilot gets the Kent to close up and let go from aft.

Видео MSC Nela finally leaves Felixstowe after the wild weather. 5 tugs assist. 13th January 2023 канала Deano C's Harwich Haven videos