The MSC Columbia (IMO 9103685) on her maiden call to Felixstowe suffered mechanical failure, believed to be engine problems (needs confirmation), on her approach to Felixstowe at approximately 1200hrs today. This occurred with the pilot on board whilst in the deep water channel leading to Harwich Harbour. Anchors were dropped and she came to a halt in the North side of the channel by No. 7 and No. 8 buoys. Two tugs were on the scene immediately as they had been requested to assist her movement in the harbour anyway. A further two tugs were deployed and they attended minutes later. The four tugs assisted her into the harbour area and she was safely moored onto her berth. The Branscombe scavengers will not be required!
One of her 8 tonne anchors was lost in the deep water channel and all deep draft vessels are using the southern side of the channel as a precaution.
Her voyage into Felixstowe had already been delayed by a few hours. The vessel occupying her berth, CSCL America, had container lashing problems and the mandatory Port of Felixstowe crane boom failure.
Pictures of the incident:
Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3
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