Eleonora Maersk Ship Visit

On June 6th 2014 we had the pleasure of visiting one of the world's largest container ships, Eleonora Maersk, whilst the vessel was berthed alongside Trinity Terminal at the Port of Felixstowe.

The unexpected and last minute visit was organised as Harry Cotterill was celebrating his 20th Birthday on June 6th 2014.

Having requested permission directly from Brian Godsafe, Managing Director, Maersk Line UK, we were allowed to visit the ultra large container ship.

On the morning of June 6th 2014, Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester and Gavin, Pamment, Chief Photographer, Dream Designs Colchester arrived the Maersk Line's Office in Felixstowe to meet with Steve Mann, Port Operations Manager, Maersk Line at approximately 10:00.

Whilst they were waiting three others visitors arrived, which were employees from the Port of London. A short while later Steve Mann came to meet Harry and Gavin and the other visitors in the reception at Maersk House and gave them each a reflective jacket and hardhat.

Leaving the office, Harry and Gavin along with the other visitors were driven to Tomline House at the Port of Felixstowe, where they collected their passes in order to gain access to the quayside and ship. Once they had collected their passes Steve Mann drove them to the end of Trinity Terminal where Eleonora Maersk was berthed.

Before making their way along the quayside to board Eleonora Maersk, Harry and Gavin both took the opportunity to have a photograph taken with the vessel berthed directly behind them and of course took lots of photos of the giant ship as well.

Steve Mann then safely guided Harry and Gavin, as well as the three other visitors along the quayside to the gangway leading up to the main deck on Eleonora Maersk, which in total had over 80 steps!

Upon boarding Eleonora Maersk, Harry and Gavin along with the other visitors were immediately escorted to the bridge, high above the quayside and the main deck of the ship. From the bridge the visitors had a great view over the ship, the Port of Felixstowe and the surrounding areas.

After exploring the bridge, visitors were invited to head outside, one deck up on to the very top of the ship above the bridge. This offered even better views and the opportunity to see the vessel's funnel up close too, which made for another great photo opportunity for Harry and Gavin.

Moving back down to the bridge, Harry and Gavin had the chance to take some more photographs of the navigational equipment. They also took the chance to each have a photograph taken at the ship's wheel!

Next one of the Officers on the bridge, invited the visitors and the Port Operations Manager, Steve Mann to tour the rest of the vessel, including the crew's living areas as well as the various equipment and machinery below decks. Slowly moving down through the accommodation block, some twelve decks high, visitors saw some of the areas where the crew relax and socialize and other areas including the main switch room and control room.

Continuing further down, the visitors explored even more of the ship, including the generator room as well as the enormous main engine which powers the ship. The engine is the largest marine engine in the world and is 89 feet long, 44 feet wide and delivers 107,389 horsepower!

Next on the guided tour Harry and Gavin, along with the other visitors got to view the propeller shaft. The propeller shaft tunnel is more than 120 meters in length, stretching from the main engine, to the stern of the vessel.

Having seen much of the equipment and machinery on board Eleonora Maersk, the visitors were guided back up to the main deck, where they could disembark the vessel via the gangway escorted by Steve Mann.

Having disembarked Eleonora Maersk after what was a somewhat different ship visit, Harry and Gavin took the chance to have some more photographs taken together with the vessel berthed behind them before leaving the Port of Felixstowe. Before heading back the Maersk House with Steve Mann, the visitors watched the operations taking places on the quayside at Trinity Terminal. 

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

"I would like to take this opportunity to send a massive THANK YOU to Maersk Line for allowing us to visit Eleonora Maersk on the occasion of my 20th Birthday. I throughly enjoyed my time on board exploring the ship and seeing the various equipment and machinery. It was certainly a different way to spend part of my birthday!"

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: [email protected]