Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

NO-HEADLINE

Wednesday 22 May 1996 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The dredger which ran into the Marchioness has sunk, it was disclosed. The 260ft-long Bowbelle - sold and renamed twice since the tragedy in which 51 people lost their lives seven years ago, broke in two and went down 500 miles off the coast of Madeira in March, its Portuguese owners said. One crew member died and six others escaped. Lloyd's of London confirmed the sinking but said it had attracted little attention because few had connected the Bom Rei, its last name, with the Bowbelle.

Margaret Lockwood Croft, whose 26-year-old son Shaun was among those who died in the tragedy on a late night private birthday party trip in London in August 1989, said: "We always warned that the Bowbelle would come to an end like this. Not only did its visibility problems mean that it had a series of collisions, but also we said there were structural problems." Labour's transport spokeswoman, Glenda Jackson, called on the Department of Transport to investigate: "There have now been two tragedies involving the Bowbelle, and yet ships of identical design continue to operate freely around the coasts of Britain," she said. PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in