Pilot service to guide large ships into Scarbrough and Whitby harbours could be scrapped

They were once busy cargo ports, but now the trade has ended, both Scarborough and Whitby could potentially do without a pilot to guide larger ships into harbour.
Fishing boats are pictured moored in the harbour at Scarborough Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty ImagesFishing boats are pictured moored in the harbour at Scarborough Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
Fishing boats are pictured moored in the harbour at Scarborough Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images

A consultation has begun over removing the pilotage service run by Scarborough Council and covering the harbours at Scarborough and Whitby.

Scarborough Council’s chief executive asked the Department for Transport in September 2018 to be removed from the list of “competent harbour authorities.”

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Although Whitby was once renowned for its cargo trade this stopped entirely in 2000 and the local fishing fleet is significantly smaller than it was at its historic high and is now made up of mainly smaller boats. The port is currently home to over 300 leisure craft, with another 650 visiting during the year.

Meanwhile there has been no cargo trade coming into Scarborough for more than 40 years and there are only 35 commercial fishing boats, the majority less than 10 metres in length.

A pilot is used to guide boats of over 37 metres, and one has been employed by Scarborough Council since 1987. However in the past six years there has been just three times when a pilot has been required and these were “unusual ‘towage’ acts not considered to be part of the regular commercial activity of the harbours”, the DfT consultation states.

No objections were received during a consultation in 2018.

A previous review concluded that both harbours were “low risk” and also that there was insufficient demand to enable the current pilot to maintain his skills nor to train new pilots to the required standard.

People are being encouraged to have their say by March 12.

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The DfT says it will publish a summary of responses and their final conclusions within 12 weeks of the deadline.

The council would remain a Statutory Harbour Authority with a responsibility to ensure navigation and safety within harbour limits.

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