Herald of Free Enterprise: remembering those lost, 38 years on

6 March 2025

Image:L-R: Nautilus head of industrial Micky Smyth (left) was accompanied by Nautilus member and chief engineer Phil Lees. They are pictured in the Remembrance Garden on Dover seafront. CREDIT: Nautilus International — L-R: Nautilus head of industrial Micky Smyth (left) was accompanied by Nautilus member and chief engineer Phil Lees. They are pictured in the Remembrance Garden on Dover seafront. CREDIT: Nautilus International

Nautilus International was represented at the 38th anniversary service of the capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise .

Attending the service, which was held in Dover on 6 March 2025, Nautilus head of industrial Micky Smyth said: 'We remember the loss of 193 passengers and crew on the Herald of Free Enterprise on that fateful Friday evening of 6 March 1987. We will never forget this tragedy.'

The Union always pays its respects to those lost in the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster, during which the roll-on roll-off ferry capsized shortly after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge for Dover. The service also commemorates the many acts of individual heroism by both crew and passengers who gave their lives so others might live.

Safety procedures regarding ferry operations were put in place immediately following the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster which have helped to prevent such a tragedy occurring again. Nautilus International continues to highlight safety concerns such as fatigue from working long hours and long tours of duty in the industry, and campaigns against backsliding and for continual improvement in safety standards.

Herald of Free Enterprise: remembering those lost, 38 years on

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