OOCL Hong Kong arriving to Felixstowe for the 2nd time in 10 days 4th July 2017

OOCL Hong Kong the current world's largest container ship by capacity makes her second visit to the Port of Felixstowe. As she left Wilhelmshaven in Germany late, her arrival time to the Sunk Pilot Station was put back from 8am to 11am. During the morning Svitzer Kent radioed Harwich VTS with some bad news about one of the tugs. The Svitzer Deben had an exhaust problem and that the fumes was filling up the engine room and was not safe to use. The captain of the OOCL Hong suggested that he would require 3 tugs for berthing so a plan was made that the 3212 Svitzer Kent would be the aft tug with the two 2411 tugs Svitzer Shotley and Svitzer Sky would be the other tugs. As the morning progressed the pilot launch St Edmund left Harwich outbound with the pilot to board the OOCL Hong Kong at Sunk Pilot Station around 12 nautical miles out in the North Sea. As they approached the Sunk centre lights vessel the St Edmund swung around to board the pilot on the starboard side on a steady course.  Once onboard the pilot was on the bridge he radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound with a maximum draft of 13.3 metres for Felixstowe Berth 8. VTS confirms that there is a ready berth planned portside to Berth 8, winds SSW 10 knots. The pilot requests 3 tugs for berthing 1st tug at 7&8 Buoys, 2nd at the Rolling Ground and the 3rd inside the harbour. Heading inbound in the South Shipwash the Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon to be the first tug and paddles out to meet the OOCL. A little while later tthe Svitzer Shotley finishing with her last job heads out aswell.   The Kent makes her approach for the centre lead aft and made fast while the Shotley positions on the most aft tug marker on the starboard side and made fast a little way up from the funnel. The Svitzer Sky leaves the pontoon outbound for the arrival of the OOCL and made fast starboard shoulder. As the OOCL Hong approaches the 90deg Beach End turn into the harbour the Svitzer Kent goes out on the portside at full line load to help the stern around the corner.  Safely around the corner Kent eases up and drops in astern then goes straight astern 50%.  Passing number 9 Berth the pilot begins to get the tugs in position for a port swing off the berth. Shotley and Kent begins to pull on the quarter Kent while the Sky pushes the bow around. Carefully swinging around the pilot gives a few kicks astern to keep the momentum going. Almost swung the Shotley comes in for a push and so does the Sky. The Kent comes onto the portside for a few minutes then moves back onto the starboard side in a check position.  Alongside the captain required 6, 2 and 2 for the final tie up with spring lines first then the offshore lines. ETD 0830 Thursday 6th July 2017 for Singapore.