Ultra Large MSC Valeria arrives to Felixstowe heavily laden from the Far East. 6th August 2019

MSC Valeria departed Colombo, Sri Lanka heavily laden bound for Felixstowe. After negotiating the Suez Canal in a Northbound convoy into the Mediterranean Sea, she carries on through the Gibraltar Straights towards the United Kingdom. Approaching the UK, she sails in English Channel and through Northern Europe's biggest bottlenecks, the Dover Straights into the North Sea to the Sunk Pilot Station.

A Harwich Haven pilot launch meets the MSC Valeria in the Sunk Diamond, slightly later than planned, to board a pilot for the inbound journey to Felixstowe.

Once onboard the pilot radios Sunk VTS to say he was onboard, inbound for Felixstowe 13.5 metre draught with no defects. Soon after the pilot radios Harwich VTS to say that they were inbound for Felixstowe Berth 8 with a maximum draught of 13.5 metres and no defects from her last port of Colombo. VTS replies that there was a ready berth planned port side to Felixstowe Berth 8. VTS continues with the height of tide and the wind on the Landguard. The wind was steadily increasing through the afternoon.

After a little while, the duty tug radios Harwich VTS to find out what the tug order was for the MSC Valeria. VTS radios the pilot to find out what the order was. Moments later the pilot confirms he would like three tugs or berthing, the first at 7&8 to make fast centre lead aft, the second also to meet outside the harbour and standby on the starboard side then make fast in the harbour and finally the third to meet inside the harbour on a bow to bow.

Proceeding inwards at the South Shipwash, Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon to be the centre lead tug. Shortly after, Svitzer Sky breaks away from the pontoon to be the starboard quarter tug. Passing the 7&8 Buoys, the pilot radios the Deben to find out which tugs would be assisting with berthing the MSC Valeria. The Deben replies that they will be making fast centre lead aft, Sky will be on the starboard quarter and the Kent would make fast centre lead forward inside the harbour. The pilot says that the ship was on full ahead but only reaching 12.5 knots. Deben rides up to the transom and makes fast. The pilot's intentions was not to use them for an indirect but asked them to favour the port side just incase. Sky follows near the starboard quarter just incase they were required.

The pilot changes his mind about the Deben, due to the wind increasing, he gets them to move out on to the port quarter for a powered indirect around the 90° Beach End. Steering to starboard, the Valeria safely rounds the corner into the harbour. Kent makes their approach on the starboard bow to make fast centre lead forward. Sky makes fast on the starboard quarter and awaits instructions from the pilot.

Stopping the engine, the ship begins to twist so the centre lead tugs move to counteract the the twist. Straightened up, the pilot kicks the engine ahead to bring her to the swinging position. Deben moves onto the starboard side and builds power, Sky moves out and builds power to take the bow around. Kent fast forward moves onto the port shoulder and takes the bow around.

Swinging to port, the pilot kicks the engine astern as they complete 3/4 of the swing. Edging towards the berth with Sky pushing them alongside, the pilot works with the berthing master to get the ship in perfect position. Deben and Kent stay out on the starboard side in check positions to help slide her straight onto the fenders.

Final tie up 6 and 2 with springs first fore and aft.

ETD Friday 9th August 6am.