THE CAPACITY OF THE APPROACH CHANNEL AT THE TEES

The study comprised three parts. First, a survey was made of existing experimental and theoretical work that was concerned with the movement of vessels in confined channels. The factors of importance were examined in the context of the Tees by discussion with the Tees pilots and harbour master, and by comparison with existing port practice elsewhere. Second, the one-way system in use was examined to determine whether there were alternative methods of operation that could use the channel more efficiently. Finally, future traffic was analysed in more detail, and, in the light of the results of the first two parts of the study, estimates were made of the results that might be expected. It was then possible to compare the future level of delays with the present, and to make recommendations about whether channel widening was justified. This article summarises each of these three parts in turn.