Where did the Herald of Free Enterprise sail from?

At 1805 (GMT) on 6 March 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise (“Herald”), a roll-on/roll-off passenger and cargo ferry, departed berth 12 in the inner harbour of Zeebrugge, Belgium. The Herald had 459 passengers, 80 crew members, 81 cars, 47 cargo trucks and three other vehicles.



People Also Ask

Mark Stanley, the assistant bosun on the day of the tragedy, died in hospital on July 20, aged 58. He had not closed the bow doors when the ship set sail and he had been haunted by the tragedy, which was said to have severely affected his health, working life and family. Mr Stanley had fallen asleep in his cabin.

MORE DETAILS

The Crown Prosecution Service charged P&O European Ferries with corporate manslaughter in 1989 and seven employees with manslaughter. The case collapsed but it set a precedent for corporate manslaughter being legally admissible in an English court.

MORE DETAILS

P&O Ferries operates ferries to Zeebrugge. P&O ferries sail from Hull to Zeebrugge daily with an overnight service taking 14 hours 30 minutes. On board there is a choice of bars and restaurants, onboard entertainment including a casino and then sleep the remaining part of your journey in luxury ensuite cabins.

MORE DETAILS

A public court of inquiry into the disaster placed the blame on three of the ferry's staff: assistant boatswain Mark Stanley, who failed to close the bow doors after falling asleep in his cabin during a short break; first officer Leslie Sabel, who failed to ensure the bow doors were closed; and captain David Lewry for ...

MORE DETAILS

Sue and the children were each offered a pounds 5,000 fixed payment for being aboard the Herald of Free Enterprise when it capsized.

MORE DETAILS

As a RORO ferry rolls, vehicles can break free and slide down if not firmly secured, adversely altering the ship's centre of gravity, accelerating the roll, and possibly turning an otherwise recoverable roll into a capsize.

MORE DETAILS

On 6 March 1987, the Townsend Thoresen branded roll on/roll off car ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized just outside Zeebrugge's harbour about 25 minutes after departure. A subsequent inquiry determined that the ship's bow doors had been left open allowing water to get onto the car deck.

MORE DETAILS

Carly Zutic, from Dumfries, Scotland passed away suddenly at her home after a long battle with drug addiction, the Daily Record reported. Carly was just nine weeks old when she survived the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise in March 1987.

MORE DETAILS