Boluda Corporación Marítima has announced the towing assistance in the port of Rotterdam to the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
Straight away from Norway, the impressive aircraft carrier returned from the NATO exercise “Steadfast Defender 24,” one of the largest military exercises organized by NATO since the Cold War.
HMS Prince of Wales is one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK and forms part of the Royal Navy’s two-strong fleet of Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
Her flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long, enough space for three football pitches, and she holds a minimum of 45 days’ worth of food in stores.
She will have a crew complement (minimum crew) of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard. HMS Prince of Wales’ size and scope is awe-inspiring – she can embark 36 F-35B and four Merlin Helicopters.
Upon successful completion of the exercise, the crew required a port visit. The tugs VB Tiger, VB Kracht, VB Hudson and VB Schelde safely assisted the carrier to its berth.
Prior to the arrival of the aircraft carrier, several meetings were held with the different parties involved to review all the operational details.
“The shape and structure of the carrier’s hull required special towing and mooring operations involving the use of tugs with folding masts,” reads the statement of Boluda Corporación Marítima.
During the operation, two Boluda tug chiefs led the communication between the four harbour tugs and the pilots, carrying out a complex manoeuvre safely.
Video credit: Boluda Corporación Marítima.
