Inquiry raises fears over Channel safety
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xi by Melanie Hammond
Fears over the safety of ships being guided through the Dover Straits have been raised following an investigation into an accident last year.
The Panamanian container vessel Ever Decent blazed for six days last August after it collided with the Bahamian cruise liner Norwegian Dream 17 miles off the Kent coast.
The 1,750 passengers on the cruise liner were left fearing for their lives after the ship's bow was virtually destroyed in the accident.
The investigation by the Bahamian Maritime Authority states: "There was heavy traffic congestion in the area which is the junction of several traffic flows."
At the time of the collision the Ever Decent was sailing from ThamesPort to Zeebrugge, across the path of the Norwegian Dream which was on course from Oslo to Dover. The report goes on: "During the period before the accident both ships were restricted in their ability to take early avoiding action by other traffic in the area." While the report highlights other factors, it recommends research "into the layout of the scheme in the area where the collision occurred'.
The Traffic Separation Scheme acts as a dual carriageway for ships sailing north/south; Channel ferries have to cross these lanes. Traffic in the area is expected to increase because the Dover Harbour Board is to build an extra four berths at the port.
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency declined to comment on the report until the Panamanian authorities produce their version. However, she says: "It has been noticeable that the size of vessels travelling through the Dover Straits has increased, rather than the number."