Port of Felixstowe says goodbye to OOCL Hong Kong. But not for long!! 6th July 2017

The OOCL Hong Kong says goodbye to the Port of Felixstowe. But not for long! The next time she will be in Felixstowe again will be in September 8th straight from Singapore.

At 400 metres in length and a width of 58.8 metres she can carry 21413TEU (standard 20ft containers) weighing in at a colossal 210890 gross tonnes.

With cargo operations finished the OOCL Hong Kong had a maximum draft of 15.3 metres bound for Singapore with exports from Europe but mostly recycled plastic to be made into new things for the shops and fresh air (empty containers). The captian of the OOCL Hong Kong ordered 3 tugs for departure.

As the tide rose the pilot went across from Harwich to board the Hong Kong from the shore side at Felixstowe. Once onboard he radioed Harwich VTS to confirm that they had a maximum draft of 15.3 metres for Singapore and would like the services for departure. Svitzer Kent, Svitzer Deben and Svitzer Sky all left the tug pontoon to help the ship off the berth.

Svitzer Kent was made fast centre lead aft, Svitzer Sky was made fast starboard quarter and the Svitzer Deben was made fast centre lead forward. Mooring gang standing by were ready for crew onboard to begin singling up. The Svitzer Sky was pushing up at 25% power to hold her alongside as there was a slight offshore breeze. 4 of the forward and aft lines were slackened so the mooring gang take them off the bollards to be winched back onboard. Just down to springs, the tugs fore and aft tugs were in position read to work. The springs were released and the Svizer Sky backed away from the ships side to a pull position.

The wind and tide slightly pushed the ship away from the berth. The pilot came on the radio and got the Deben and Kent to pull straight off at 50% shortly followed by the Sky going on at 50%. Deben forward inncreses to 75 then up to full power. After a while all 3 tugs were on full power to bring the OOCL Hong Kong in to the channel.

Once in the channel the pilot comes ahead and gets the Sky to ease up and come in to be released but they didn't want to come in till the Kent was out of the way due to the wash from her. The kent eases up and drops in astern. The Deben also eased up and came right ahead and slackened up to be released.

As the OOCL was 400 metres and deep drafted a tug was required to position on the most aft tug marker on the port side so after the Sky was released and husseled to the around to the portside. The pilot didnt believe he would need the Sky to push up as the Kent would go out for a powered indirect for the 90deg Beach End turn out of the harbour.

Approaching the Fort Buoy the pilot gets the Kent to go out on the starboard side at full power indirect. The Kent increases to full power producing an incredible angle. Once around the corner the tugs are stood down and released ready for the next work due in to Felixstowe within the hour.

Видео Port of Felixstowe says goodbye to OOCL Hong Kong. But not for long!! 6th July 2017 канала Deano C