On this episode of Seconds From Disaster season 2, we follow the harrowing story of the MV Herald of Free Enterprise, a British ferry that capsized in the North Sea, just off the coast of Zeebrugge, Belgium on March 6, 1987.
The ship was on its way from Zeebrugge to Dover, England, with 459 passengers and crew members on board. Within minutes of leaving the port, disaster struck. The ship's bow doors had been left open, allowing water to flood the car deck. The ship quickly listed to starboard, causing the vehicles on the car deck to shift and become unsecured.
As the crew tried to assess the situation, the ship continued to list, and before they knew it, the Herald of Free Enterprise had capsized onto her side, leaving the passengers and crew trapped inside.
The rescue operation was underway, but because the accident happened so close to shore, many of the passengers had already been washed out to sea. Rescue boats quickly arrived but struggled to rescue those trapped inside. Passengers had to wait hours before help arrived and many did not survive.
The episode recounts the investigation that ensued after the tragedy, as experts tried to determine what caused the ship to capsize. It was discovered that the bow doors had not been properly closed before departure, and that the vessel sailed with its engines in reverse, causing suction that allowed water to enter the car deck unabated.
The designer of these bow doors claimed that he received orders to modify them in a way that made them less safe. As a result, he testified that the ship was more vulnerable to flooding.
The episode also highlights the consequences of the disaster, including the loss of significant lives, as well as the impact it had on ferry safety and the shipping industry.
This episode offers a sobering look at the catastrophic aftermath of human error. It serves as a reminder of the importance of following safety protocols and procedures, especially when dealing with hazardous situations that involve the lives of so many people.
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Channel
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First AiredAugust 16, 2005
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LanguageEnglish
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