North Eastern Guardian III passing the East Pier lighthouse, Whitby

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North Eastern Guardian III is a 26 m aluminium single hull vessel, owned by the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NEIFCA). The vessel was built and delivered in November 2008 by UKI workboat in Finland. The vessel is powered by twin 1000 KW Cat C32 diesel engines capable of a top speed of 26 knots. North Eastern Guardian III is unique in her class. She has been designed and equipped to operate as a state of the art research/monitoring platform carrying Acoustic Ground Discrimination, sub sea surveying and biological/benthic habitat assessment equipment. NEG III remains the most modern and versatile vessel in the inshore fisheries fleet.

The vessel is berthed in Whitby North Yorkshire and undertakes offshore fisheries patrol and research work throughout the Authority’s district. This resource is also available for chartering by external organisations and to date has supported habitat assessment and monitoring work, bird and cetacean survey work and fisheries assessment projects.


Whitby East Pier Light (or Whitby East Breakwater Light), was built in 1854. The stone built lighthouse stands 55 foot high ( approx 16 mtrs) and had a light visible from 8 miles (approx 13 km).

This was replaced in 1914, by the new Whitby east pier light (not in view). The new light was built as a wooden framework tower on 'legs' Currently operational, it displays an automated fixed red light (red for port).