Ferry deaths 'an accident waiting to happen'
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 SEWAGE treatment system on board a ferry in which two children died when sewage gases leaked into their cabin was defective in its design, installation and maintenance, according to the official report into the tragedy.
It said the Polish crew of the Celtic Pride, which was travelling from Swansea to Cork, lacked the expertise to identify the hazard.
The report, from the Irish Department of the Marine, describes the deaths of Catherine Tomlins, 15, and her brother James, 12, last August, as an accident waiting to happen and highlights the lack of international standards for ships' sewage systems.
The children were found dead in their cabin when the ferry arrived in Cork. A post-mortem examination revealed that they died after inhaling hydrogen sulphide. Their younger brother escaped the tragedy after going to their parents' cabin earlier in the night because he could not sleep.
Investigators found that sections of piping integral to the forward sewage treatment tank close to the children's cabin were missing. A ventilation slot between sections of the tank was blocked by a pair of jeans, while the air lift systems necessary to the onward disposal of sewage were 'blocked solidly with sludge, indicating they had not operated for some time'.
The investigators said the ferry's officers knew of problems with the sewage system but had not made themselves aware of the possible fatal consequences of sewage gases escaping into cabins.
There had been 34 separate complaints from passengers about foul smells. One complaint from a consultant engineer three weeks before the accident had identified the gas as hydrogen sulphide. But the officers failed to note this complaint in the ship's log.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments