The ultra large CSCL Indian Ocean arrives to the Port of Felixstowe with a maximum draught of 12.8 metres from her last port of Wilhelmshaven in Germany.

Overnight, winds picked up to a fresh 30 knots for a time before easing off as the sun rose behind the clouds.

The CSCL Indian Ocean approaches the Sunk where a Harwich Haven Pilot launch goes alongside to board a pilot for the inward passage. As the Indian Ocean was a 400 metre vessel and there was a brisk NWN wind the pilot requested three Svitzer tugs to help berth her port side to Felixstowe Berth 8. The first tug preferably a one of the larger 3212 tugs to make fast centre lead aft before 7&8 Buoys, second tug to meet outside the harbour and position on the starboard quarter then once inside the harbour to make fast on the quarter and finally the third tug to make fast inside the harbour on a bow to bow.

Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon shortly followed by the Shotley to head out the harbour to be the first tugs. A little while later the Svitzer Kent leaves the tug pontoon and waits between the Fort Buoy and the Beach End for the CSCL to come onto Northerly heading. As the ship approach the harbour there is a 90 degree turn into the harbour called the Beach End. Most 400 metre vessels that arrive or depart Felixstowe have a little helping hand turning in or out of the harbour by the aft tug assisting with powered indirect and sometimes a tug on the quarter pushing on the most aft tug marker.


The Deben and Shotley in position ready to assist around the Beach End, Deben moves out onto the port side for at full line load to help her turn the corner. Almost around the corner Deben eases up and Shotley comes away from the ships side to make fast. Speed dropping off Kent makes their approach under the bow to retreive the weighted heaving line. Gear going up from the Kent, Deben is used as a brake as they head up the harbour.

Passing the MSC Ditte which was berthed starboard side to Felixstowe 9, the tugs get ready to swing the CSCL Indian Ocean around to port. Almost swung the Kent moves from the port side to the starboard side to hold the ship against the wind for a soft landing alongside the berth.

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