On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise, a modern roll-on/roll-off ferry operated by Townsend Thoresen, capsized just minutes after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. Within 90 seconds, the vessel lay on its side, and 193 passengers and crew were dead.

In this gripping episode of Error One, we investigate one of the deadliest maritime disasters in British history. What caused a seemingly routine voyage to turn into a mass casualty event? Why were the bow doors left open? And how did corporate culture, human error, and a race for efficiency lead to such an avoidable tragedy?

We also explore the fate of Townsend Thoresen, the ferry company behind the disaster, and how this incident reshaped global maritime safety laws.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What happened aboard the Herald of Free Enterprise on March 6, 1987
• How systemic failures at Townsend Thoresen contributed to the sinking
• The stories of survivors, victims, and the crew

• The long-term impact on ferry safety and international regulations
• The fall of Townsend Thoresen and its rebranding as P&O Ferries

🧠 Perfect For Listeners Who Love:

• Real disaster investigations
• Maritime history
• True stories of human error and corporate failure
• Engineering and safety failures
• Podcasts like Black Box Down, Disasterology, or Cautionary Tales

🔗 Resources and References:

• [Official Inquiry Report (Justice Sheen, 1987)]
• [BBC Archives: Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster]
• [Survivor interviews from The Guardian and ITV News]
• [ISM Code – International Maritime Organization]

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