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Zeebrugge remembered 20 years on Zeebrugge remembered 20 years on
(about 5 hours later)
Survivors of the Zeebrugge ferry tragedy are joining relatives of some of the 193 victims for a commemorative service 20 years after the disaster.Survivors of the Zeebrugge ferry tragedy are joining relatives of some of the 193 victims for a commemorative service 20 years after the disaster.
The anniversary is being marked at the Dover centre of the British and International Sailors' Society (BISS).The anniversary is being marked at the Dover centre of the British and International Sailors' Society (BISS).
The Herald of Free Enterprise was bound for the Kent port when it capsized at Zeebrugge harbour, Belgium, in 1987.The Herald of Free Enterprise was bound for the Kent port when it capsized at Zeebrugge harbour, Belgium, in 1987.
The anniversary will also see a memorial quarter peal by bell ringers at St Mary's Parish Church in Dover.The anniversary will also see a memorial quarter peal by bell ringers at St Mary's Parish Church in Dover.
The Reverend Sean Michael Carter will lead the service at the BISS centre on Tuesday morning.The Reverend Sean Michael Carter will lead the service at the BISS centre on Tuesday morning.
I was very affected by it all and will continue to be affected for the rest of my life Retired Kent County Council official Colin Weaver Disaster was no accident Zeebrugge heroes honoured
It aims to "remember the lives of those lost and honour the heroism shown by so many people".It aims to "remember the lives of those lost and honour the heroism shown by so many people".
Unlawful killing
The heroics of crew members and passengers in helping to save lives were followed by a need for counselling in the weeks and months afterwards.The heroics of crew members and passengers in helping to save lives were followed by a need for counselling in the weeks and months afterwards.
Retired Kent County Council official, Colin Weaver, said: "It was my job to help the crew and also counsel the families of the 38 crew who were killed.Retired Kent County Council official, Colin Weaver, said: "It was my job to help the crew and also counsel the families of the 38 crew who were killed.
"Working with the relatives was particularly difficult as the crew had had violent deaths."Working with the relatives was particularly difficult as the crew had had violent deaths.
"I was very affected by it all and will continue to be affected for the rest of my life.""I was very affected by it all and will continue to be affected for the rest of my life."
Unlawful killing
The Townsend Thoresen ferry capsized because its bow doors had not been closed, allowing water to flood the car deck.The Townsend Thoresen ferry capsized because its bow doors had not been closed, allowing water to flood the car deck.
It was also established that the crew member responsible for closing the doors was asleep at the time.It was also established that the crew member responsible for closing the doors was asleep at the time.
An inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing, but manslaughter cases against the company - which had by then become P&O European Ferries - and seven employees collapsed in 1990.An inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing, but manslaughter cases against the company - which had by then become P&O European Ferries - and seven employees collapsed in 1990.
Lord Justice Sheen, who conducted the public inquiry, said in his report in 1987 that Townsend Thoresen had been "infected with the disease of sloppiness" from the top of the company to the bottom.Lord Justice Sheen, who conducted the public inquiry, said in his report in 1987 that Townsend Thoresen had been "infected with the disease of sloppiness" from the top of the company to the bottom.