Posted on July 7, 2025
Dredging is set to resume on Whitby’s coastline.
Following the approval of a new licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), North Yorkshire Council will deploy its dredging vessel, Sandsend, to the town’s harbour.
This comes after a licence to operate in Scarborough was secured in December.
According to the council, dredging is necessary to clear silt and sand from harbour beds, which helps to keep channels open and navigable.
Silt and sand are washed downstream into Whitby and through the harbour mouth in Scarborough, filling the channels and making regular dredging necessary to keep them clear.
Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said: “It is welcome news that all licences and insurances are in place so that the dredger can work in both the waters of Whitby and Scarborough.
“While we have been waiting for the licence in Whitby, harbour staff have been working hard to monitor the dredging depths and the state of the harbour.
“We recently had significant work done on the vessel to ensure it is fit for purpose.
“Residents will now start to see the vessel take to the waters imminently in Whitby to carry out the essential dredging operations.”
