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| Marchioness boat disaster marked | Marchioness boat disaster marked |
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| A coastguard placed 51 roses on the Thames to mark the 20th anniversary of the Marchioness disaster, the sinking of a pleasure boat in which 51 died. | A coastguard placed 51 roses on the Thames to mark the 20th anniversary of the Marchioness disaster, the sinking of a pleasure boat in which 51 died. |
| The names of the dead were also read at a lunchtime service by one survivor, 62-year-old Odette Penwarden. | The names of the dead were also read at a lunchtime service by one survivor, 62-year-old Odette Penwarden. |
| More than 130 partygoers were on the Marchioness when it collided with a dredger, the Bowbelle, and sank near Southwark Bridge on 20 August 1989. | More than 130 partygoers were on the Marchioness when it collided with a dredger, the Bowbelle, and sank near Southwark Bridge on 20 August 1989. |
| A Marine Accident Investigation report blamed poor look-outs on both vessels. | A Marine Accident Investigation report blamed poor look-outs on both vessels. |
| Among those paying tribute to the dead was Molly Faldo, from Hornchurch, Essex, whose 29-year-old son Stephen, the skipper of the Marchioness, died in the accident. | Among those paying tribute to the dead was Molly Faldo, from Hornchurch, Essex, whose 29-year-old son Stephen, the skipper of the Marchioness, died in the accident. |
| Mrs Faldo said: "Stephen only married a few months before the accident and he had a yellow theme for his wedding, so we laid yellow roses at the memorial today. | Mrs Faldo said: "Stephen only married a few months before the accident and he had a yellow theme for his wedding, so we laid yellow roses at the memorial today. |
| I've had 20 extra years because I should have died that night Odette Penwarden, survivor | I've had 20 extra years because I should have died that night Odette Penwarden, survivor |
| "Even after 20 years it does not get any easier to bear." | "Even after 20 years it does not get any easier to bear." |
| At an evening service families of victims will lay wreaths at the Marchioness memorial stone in Southwark Cathedral, near the scene of the disaster. | At an evening service families of victims will lay wreaths at the Marchioness memorial stone in Southwark Cathedral, near the scene of the disaster. |
| Before laying a wreath earlier, Ms Penwarden, from Beckton, east London, said: "I've had 20 extra years because I should have died that night. | Before laying a wreath earlier, Ms Penwarden, from Beckton, east London, said: "I've had 20 extra years because I should have died that night. |
| "I have tried to live those 20 years for my friends who were killed. I had five friends on that boat and none survived. | "I have tried to live those 20 years for my friends who were killed. I had five friends on that boat and none survived. |
| "I often wonder what they would have done with their lives." | "I often wonder what they would have done with their lives." |
| The Marchioness had been hired to celebrate the 26th birthday of Cambridge graduate Antonio de Vasconcellos. | The Marchioness had been hired to celebrate the 26th birthday of Cambridge graduate Antonio de Vasconcellos. |
| The Marchioness had been hired for a birthday party From party to tragedy in minutes | The Marchioness had been hired for a birthday party From party to tragedy in minutes |
| On board were high-flyers from the worlds of finance and fashion. | On board were high-flyers from the worlds of finance and fashion. |
| Francesca Dallaglio, the sister of former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio, was also among the dead. | Francesca Dallaglio, the sister of former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio, was also among the dead. |
| A public inquiry, held in 2000 after pressure from the Marchioness Action Group, supported the conclusion of the Marine Accident Investigation. | A public inquiry, held in 2000 after pressure from the Marchioness Action Group, supported the conclusion of the Marine Accident Investigation. |
| Lord Justice Clarke was severely critical of Bowbelle captain Douglas Henderson, who had drunk six pints of lager the afternoon before the disaster. | Lord Justice Clarke was severely critical of Bowbelle captain Douglas Henderson, who had drunk six pints of lager the afternoon before the disaster. |
| He also criticised the owners of both vessels, the Department of Transport and the Port of London Authority. | He also criticised the owners of both vessels, the Department of Transport and the Port of London Authority. |
| The public inquiry and efforts of the Marchioness Action Group led to improved safety on the Thames, including the launch of a coastguard and RNLI lifeboat service in 2002. | The public inquiry and efforts of the Marchioness Action Group led to improved safety on the Thames, including the launch of a coastguard and RNLI lifeboat service in 2002. |
| The Bowbelle was subsequently sold to a Madeiran dredging company but split in two and sank off the coast of Madeira in 1996. | The Bowbelle was subsequently sold to a Madeiran dredging company but split in two and sank off the coast of Madeira in 1996. |
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| Marchioness memories 20 years on |