Whitby

Size limits

Max LOA 85m, beam 14m and 3,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

MHWS 5.4m and MHWN 4.3m.

In the roadstead, the tidal current is weak however the SE flood current and NW ebb current run strongly across the harbour entrance. In the event of W'ly or SW'ly gales, the flood current may attain a rate of 3kts (roadstead) and 5kts (fairway lighted buoy) whereas the ebb current is negligible in this instance.

The freshets discharged by the river may be sudden and heavy and as a result can run between the piers with a rate of up to 5kts. The tidal character of the river has been curtailed by an upriver dam and the scour through the harbour is almost entirely dependent on the land floods

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Approach to the harbour may be made safely from all directions barring SE and have depths ranging from 5.5-13.0m. Vessels approaching from SE Whitby Rock buoy must be rounded and kept on the port hand. Once at the rock buoy, approx 0.65nm from the harbour mouth, the tide turns some 2hrs after HW or LW. Leading marks visible, consisting of a day signal of a white triangle for the lower mark, and a white circle with a black vertical line for the upper mark at night the exhibit a signal of FL.Y 4s (synchronised). Sited on the east side of the harbour these give the channel in from the sea on a bearing of 169° true. The course held until two further leading marks/lights sited on the E'ly pier are observed at night a signal FL.Y 2s (synchronised) will be observed. The inner piers form an entrance at 49.0m wide. Course then altered to 209° degrees true bringing the second set of marks/lights in line astern. Whitby Swing Bridge (54° 29.220'N., 0° 36.783'W) opens on request each hour and half hour for 2hrs either side of HW. In the event that vessels arrive outside the bridge opening times, they are requested to wait alongside the Fish Quay or the waiting pontoon on the E side at the end of the fish pier.

The channel is maintained at a depth of 1.4m below CD. The harbour is divided into Lower and Upper Harbours by a 21m wide passage. Lower Harbour dries over its greater part and has a channel leading through it from the inner piers to the Upper Harbour. The aforementioned channel is 27m wide and has a depth of 1m.

Port limits

The port limits are 2nm seaward of West Pier Lighthouse, 1.5nm W and 1nm E from the same point and all places where the tide flows within these limits.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Safety of Navigation:

A max speed of 8kts between the entrance and Scotch Head and 5kts in all other areas. Vessel masters are responsible for the wake caused by the passage of their vessel and must minimise any effects to the vessels operating within the harbour limits or moored alongside.

Prior to transit of the Whitby Swing Bridge, communication must be made via VHF Ch 11. All vessels upstream from the Whitby Swing Bridge must give way to vessel proceeding from seawards. Precedence is always given to larger vessels. No vessel should attempt to transit the bridge when a vessel (under pilot) is entering or leaving. Both of the leaves will be opened to allow smaller vessels transit during busier periods and are expected to proceed simultaneously upstream/downstream in an orderly line (keeping starboard side of the channel). All vessels waiting to transit the swing bridge must remain on the fish quay/waiting pontoon as to not cause obstruction.

Whilst navigating within the harbour, all vessels under pilotage are given priority and as a result all other vessels must give way or hold their position/remain alongside until the aforementioned vessels have passed.

International regulations for the prevention of collision at sea apply within Whitby Harbour and the operators of all vessels are expected to have a thorough knowledge of them.

Small passenger carrying vessels must not deviate from the proper side of the channel or swing across the navigation channel until it is understood that their actions will not conflict with the safe passage of all other vessels.

Any vessel exceeding LOA 37m must contact the Harbour Office at least 24hrs prior to arrival.

Anchorages

Approx 0.3nm W of Whitby Buoy. Sand bottom. Exposed to NW to E'ly winds.

Anchorage also available in Whitby Road, about 0.6nm NNW of the harbour entrance in depths of 13m. Holding is good, but in W or SW gales the anchorage is reported to be uncomfortable.

Restrictions

Once approaching the piers, caution must be taken as a strong set to the E may be experienced across the entrance 2hrs preceding HW. It is also noted that dangerous conditions occur at the harbour entrance during strong NW to E onshore winds and as a result small vessels are not recommended to enter the harbour at this time.

Whitby Harbour Swing Bridge spans 75ft and each section may be operated independently swinging horizontally. It is manned 2hrs either side of HW and LW. The final opening will be 10mins prior to 2hrs after HW.

On the approach lies The Scar; a rocky ledge, which lies inshore of Whitby Rock. The aforementioned rocks are covered with kelp, dry in places and the swell breaks heavily over them. It is worth noting that there is a spoil ground area that lies approx 0.86nm NNE of the harbour entrance.

Mooring

Masters must ensure that their vessel is properly secured with bow, stern lines and springs. Pontoon moorings are double moored unless otherwise stated. Masters are recommended to take care and to use appropriate fendering.

Vessels berthing at Eskside Wharf may only moor within the specifically designed section of the quay. The designation is 67m commencing form the E end of the quay. As a result, vessels are permitted from mooring at the N section (54m) of the quay due to the floating drydock alongside. Vessels are required to only moor to the bollards provided by Parkol Marine Engineering Ltd and not the wharf mooring bollards. Masters unsure on where to berth are required to contact Whitby LPS or Parkol Marine Engineering.

Charts and publications

BA 134, 1612. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA and requests for pilots, a min of 30mins prior to arrival to the harbour office, on VHF Ch 11.

Communications

Parkol Marine Engineering contact info

Telephone: +44 1947 602669

Email: [email protected]

Whitby Swing Bridge contact info

VHF: Ch 11, 16

Whitby Marina Office contact info

VHF: Ch 11

Telephone: +44 1947 600165

Port Control contact info

VHF: Ch 11

Telephone: +44 1947 602272

Call sign: “Whitby LPS

Whitby Harbour Office contact info

Telephone: +44 1947 602354

Facsimile: +44 8701 911327

Email: [email protected]

W Eves & Co contact info

Telephone: +44 1947 602255

Coastguard contact info

Telephone: +44 1262 672317

Customs and immigration

HM Customs Office, Endeavour Wharf, Tel: +44 1947 602074.

Notices and regulations

For permanent berthing at Whitby Harbour the following information is provided:

Typical berthing season runs Apr 1-Oct 31 and winter mooring runs from Nov 1 to Oct 31. All berth holders must produce a copy of their insurance with a minimum third-party limit of £3,000,000 and sign a contract agreeing to harbour rules.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available at Eskside Wharf and provided by Parkol Marine Engineering. Services available include: design, build, repair and maintenance for every type of steel, aluminium and wood-hulled vessels. Parkol Marine Engineering available services:

Maintenance: routine maintenance, breakdown services, production of custom-made propeller nozzles (ranging from 1300 to 2700mm in diameter), propeller refurbishment, vessel unit fabrication, shell plate replacement, stability assessment, ballast alterations, conversion of engine-cooling systems, seakeeping improvements, hull blasting and metallisation and upgrades and installations of fish-handling equipment and conveyors. Further repairs and refits include: shell plate replacement and the alteration of hull lines, wheelhouse and casing replacement, re-purposing (turning trawlers into gill netters for example) and lengthening to increase fish hold capacity.

Parkol Marine Engineering provides ship building from a wide range of vessels including: fishing, work vessels and unusual builds.

Dry docks

Floating drydock located at Eskside Wharf, provided by Parkol Marine Engineering.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at the Fish Quay and Endeavour Wharf (via arrangement).

Bunkering: DO by road tanker (via W. Eves & Co.).

Medical

Nearest hospital: Whitby Community Hospital (0.45km).

Crew change

By arrangement.

Transport

Nearest airport: Teesside International Airport (53km) and Leeds Bradford Airport (97km)

Nearest railway: Whitby Station (0.25km).

Nearest highway: Port has access to A171. The road travels 77.4km from Middlesbrough in the N to Scarbrough in the S.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Whitby.

Working hours

By arrangement Mon-Sun, throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Situated on the N Yorkshire coast at the mouth of the River Esk, approx 37km SE of Tees Bay, United Kingdom.

The port

Whitby, an ancient and historic port, provides safe and sheltered berths and cargo handling facilities. The majority of the cargo arranged and handled is located within the Upper Harbour including steel products, grain, timber, bagged fertilisers and fishing. The aforementioned berths within the Upper Harbour are accompanied and supported by extensive outdoor storage, parking, ship repairs and floating drydock. The Lower Harbour services the fishing industry and used as a lay-by for vessels waiting to berth within the Upper Harbour. The harbour houses numerous marinas and floating pontoons for private recreational vessels.

What are the pilot arrangements at Whitby?

Compulsory for vessels over 37m in length, fishing vessels over 45.5m in length and all vessels without local knowledge.

What time zone is Whitby in?

Local time at Whitby is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Whitby?

1025.

Which load line zone is Whitby in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Whitby?

Port State Control at Whitby: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Whitby?

The UN/LOCODE of Whitby is GBWTB.

What crews who called at Whitby say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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