Officials fear many older vessels are still not sturdy enough to survive a collision on the Thames

Could Marchioness disaster happen again? Officials fear many older vessels are still not sturdy enough to survive a collision on the Thames, 30 years after the horror that claimed 51 lives

  • The Marchioness collided with a dredger in central London on August 20, 1989
  • Friends and relatives prepare to attend a vigil tonight 30 years after the disaster 
  • More than 50 young people died on board the pleasure boat after the collision

The chances of an older vessel surviving a collision on the Thames have not significantly improved since the Marchioness disaster 30 years ago, officials warn.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) issued the stark warning as friends and relatives of the 51 young people who died on board the pleasure boat prepare to attend a vigil tonight to mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster.

The Marchioness collided with a dredger in central London in the early hours of August 20, 1989.

Flashing lights on bridges and a system for tracking river traffic are among steps taken to reduce crashes on the river since the disaster. The Marchioness collided with a dredger in central London in the early hours of August 20, 1989

PLA chief executive Robin Mortimer said the tragedy led to a series of safety improvements on the Thames but little had been done to reduce the risk of older boats sinking after a crash. 

He said: ‘The concern we’ve got is that the impact side of the risk is still fairly similar for older vessels because the vessel itself hasn’t changed.’

Flashing lights on bridges and a system for tracking river traffic are among steps taken to reduce crashes on the river since the disaster.

‘If all of those measures don’t work effectively and there is a collision, then the consequences could still be very serious,’ Mr Mortimer said.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) issued the stark warning as friends and relatives of the 51 young people who died on board the pleasure boat (above) prepare to attend a vigil tonight to mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster

The Port of London Authority (PLA) issued the stark warning as friends and relatives of the 51 young people who died on board the pleasure boat (above) prepare to attend a vigil tonight to mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster

 

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