Grenfell learnings from the Marchioness disaster

摘要

August 20, 1989 is a day that sadly will always be remembered in the UK for the Marchioness disaster. After being hit by the 1,475-ton dredger Bowbelle on the River Thames in the early hours of the morning, the Marchioness sank in just half a minute. The devastating collision resulted in the loss of 51 lives, all of whom were enjoying a birthday party onboard the 47-ton pleasure boat. Following the tragedy, an investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) paved the way for a 1991 report that overhauled marine safety on the Thames. A number of safety recommendations were implemented, including navigation lights and improved lookouts on boats. After significant pressure from the victims' families in 1999, John Prescott, the then-Deputy Prime Minister, demanded an Inquiry into safety on the River Thames as well as an investigation into the factors that led to the sinking of the Marchioness. The result of the 2000 Inquiry was a report that was published in February 2001 by Lord Justice Clarke, which made a number of river safety recommendations. They were all accepted by Mr Prescott.