Whitby Pier Power

Introduction

Whitby Harbour is situated on the North Yorkshire coastline in North East England, at the mouth

of the River Esk estuary. It is sheltered against the full force of the North Sea by two piers, each

with pier extensions, either side of the harbour mouth (Figure 1). These structures have not only

created a 'harbour of refuge' for passing vessels, but have also provided associated benefits to

the local economy from the development of quayside facilities and marine trade and industry. In

addition, the structures provide a significant contribution to the overall flood and coastal defence

system:

•The structures reduce the wave conditions experienced in the downstream reaches of the