Pilot boat on the River Nene going to a ship intending to enter Port Sutton Bridge Linconshire
Ships with a bow thruster usually approach Port Sutton Bridge stern first. This procedure began after the Lajik went aground at the turning basin whilst swinging at Sutton Bridge in 2000. Because the Lagik blocked the turning basin - and the river just above the port - for several weeks, other ships were unable to swing, so some method had to be devised to bring ships to the dockside at Sutton Bridge. The procedure however was seen to save time and also made docking easier and quicker. The only ships for Sutton Bridge that now come in bow first are those without bow thrusters and these are discharged of their cargo first and then swung in the turning basin. Ships heading for Wisbech five miles further upriver, however, still do so bow first.
Size: 4288px × 2848px
Photo credit: © John Worrall / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: boat, bow-wave, bridge, commerce, fast, lincolnshire, navigation, nene, pilot, port, river, sutton, tidal, transport, uk, wash
