HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE

The capsizing of the Ro/Ro car passenger ferry HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE at Zeebrugge on 6 March 1987, with the loss of 188 lives, is reviewed. Descriptions are given of the ship, its bow and stern doors, and its manning; of the berthing arrangements at Zeebrugge and the condition of the HERALD on departure; of maneuvers leading to the capsize; and of immediate causes of the disaster, ship operational conflicts, and management failures.