Health & Safety Matters
Commemoration
Unions last month took part in commemoration events to mark the 30th anniversary of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry disaster. The disaster saw 193 crew and passengers die when the ferry sank and capsized while leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on 6 March 1987.
The roll-on roll-off ferry had left the berth with its bow doors open, allowing water to flood the car deck. The crew member responsible for closing them was asleep at the time.
Maritime union Nautilus said that despite tougher safety regulations introduced following the disaster, “there is still much more work to be done”. The union’s general secretary, Mark Dickinson, pointed out that under current law, seafarers can be expected to work up to 98 hours a week.