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The Marchioness Disaster

The Marchioness disaster occurred on August 20, 1989, when the pleasure boat Marchioness collided with the dredger Bowbelle on the River Thames, resulting in 51 deaths. The disaster led to widespread public outcry, multiple inquiries, and significant changes in maritime safety regulations.

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Victims:

Peter Alcorn, Christopher Averill, David Ayres, Sophie Bennett, Rupert Blackburn, Timothy Blake, Jane Bourke, Paul Brookman, Michael Carew, Isla Carroll, John Clarke, Tamsin Cole, Shaun Lockwood-Croft, Francesca Dallaglio, Shelia Daubeney, Howard Dennis, Marino Drusetta, Paul Ellington, Stephen Faldo, Christopher Garnham, Michael Gatehouse, Jeffrey Gibbs, Lino Di Girolamo, Carmella Lennon-Gorman,

Ruth Hadden, Guy Hallez, Hannah Harris, David Highfield, Luis de la Huerta, Julie Hunt, Lee Hunt,

Julie Ibbotson, Karen Jarvis, Peter Jaye, France Landlands-Pearce, Dianne Lim, Tony Lo Man Yem, 

Neville Lovelock, Elsa Garcia Magaldi, Shirleen Manning, Dean Palmer, Stephen Perks, Angela Plevey, Rachel Rackow, Simon Senior, Aziz Shamash, Vida Shamash, Julian Tremain, Antonio e Vasconcellos,

Domingos e Vasconcellos, Linda Webster

 

Perpetrator: Captain Douglas Henderson (captain of the Bowbelle)

Date of Incident: 20th August 1989

Location: River Thames, between Cannon Street Railway Bridge and Southwark Bridge, South London

​Key Details: 

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  • The Marchioness was hosting a birthday party for Antonio de Vasconcellos with approximately 130 people on board.

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  • The collision occurred around 1:46 AM, when the Bowbelle, significantly larger and heavier, struck the Marchioness twice, causing it to capsize and sink within 30 seconds.

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  • The disaster was likened to a bicycle being run over by a lorry, emphasising the vast size difference between the vessels.

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  • Immediate rescue efforts were hindered, and the Bowbelle crew did not assist in the rescue.

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  • Many victims were trapped inside the Marchioness and drowned before they could be rescued.

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  • 51 out of the 130 on board perished, including Antonio de Vasconcellos.

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  • Captain Douglas Henderson and his lookout had consumed alcohol before the incident.

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  • Henderson faced trials for failing to maintain an effective lookout but was not convicted due to hung juries in both trials.

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  • Public and media pressure led to a comprehensive inquiry by Lord Justice Clarke, revealing systemic failures and poor lookout practices.

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  • Recommendations included improved lookout practices, design changes, enhanced training, and better emergency procedures.

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  • Annual memorial services and advocacy by the Marchioness Action Group led to the establishment of RNLI lifeboat stations on the Thames, enhancing emergency response capabilities.

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