Published on 1 Feb 2017
Dense fog at the Port of Felixstowe was not the ideal conditions to bring in a record load but ships have schedules and the delays can be a huge headache for the companies. United Arab Shipping Company's (UASC) Al Nefud sailed from Port Kelang in Malaysia with a draft of 15.8 metres and a record load of 18749 TEU for Northern Europe.
The pilot onboard Al Nefud orders three tugs for the port swing and berthing portside to Berth 8. Svitzer Deben centre lead aft, Svitzer Madeleine on the starboard quarter and the Svitzer Sky bow to bow with the monster ship.
Heading inbound and just passing the Harwich Approach Buoy the Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon followed by the Svitzer Madeleine a little while later.
Appearing through the dense fog the pilot instructs the Svitzer Madeleine to push full power on the most aft pushing point on the starboard side and the Svitzer Deben out on the port quarter for a powered in-direct around the 90° Beach End turn into the harbour. While rounding the Beach End the Svitzer Deben out on the portside had a big problem where the tow line gave way and snapped leaving the Svitzer Madeleine the only tug helping the record load into the harbour. The pilot concerned about the Deben he radios the Deben and makes sure that the crew are ok and the tug is still in working order.
Chasing up astern to be reconnected centre lead aft the Svitzer Deben repositions on the stern to receive a heaving line. Now coming round onto a northerly heading the Svitzer Sky meets the Al Nefud to go bow to bow and made fast for the port swing onto Berth 8.
Southerly wind gusting to around 20 knots was not helping slow this giant down so the Deben now reconnected goes 50% astern to slow her up then onto full power to bring her an almost stop. Svitzer Sky moves onto the portside to pull the bow around while the Deben and Madeleine positions themselves to pull the stern around.
Visibility not great My camera could not get a decent shot of the Al Nefud edging closer towards her berth.
Final tie up 5 and 2 each end with spring lines first fore and aft.
The pilot onboard Al Nefud orders three tugs for the port swing and berthing portside to Berth 8. Svitzer Deben centre lead aft, Svitzer Madeleine on the starboard quarter and the Svitzer Sky bow to bow with the monster ship.
Heading inbound and just passing the Harwich Approach Buoy the Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon followed by the Svitzer Madeleine a little while later.
Appearing through the dense fog the pilot instructs the Svitzer Madeleine to push full power on the most aft pushing point on the starboard side and the Svitzer Deben out on the port quarter for a powered in-direct around the 90° Beach End turn into the harbour. While rounding the Beach End the Svitzer Deben out on the portside had a big problem where the tow line gave way and snapped leaving the Svitzer Madeleine the only tug helping the record load into the harbour. The pilot concerned about the Deben he radios the Deben and makes sure that the crew are ok and the tug is still in working order.
Chasing up astern to be reconnected centre lead aft the Svitzer Deben repositions on the stern to receive a heaving line. Now coming round onto a northerly heading the Svitzer Sky meets the Al Nefud to go bow to bow and made fast for the port swing onto Berth 8.
Southerly wind gusting to around 20 knots was not helping slow this giant down so the Deben now reconnected goes 50% astern to slow her up then onto full power to bring her an almost stop. Svitzer Sky moves onto the portside to pull the bow around while the Deben and Madeleine positions themselves to pull the stern around.
Visibility not great My camera could not get a decent shot of the Al Nefud edging closer towards her berth.
Final tie up 5 and 2 each end with spring lines first fore and aft.
Dean Cable
Photo credits
Hats off to Capt Nazar UL Islam (Pakistan) and his team
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