Chronology of the Marchioness Disaster

DATE	COURT HEARING	DESCRIPTION
20 August 1989		Marchioness was struck and sunk by the Bowbelle - 51 people were killed.
August/September 1989		Families were denied access to view deceased.
22-25 August 1989		First inquest was opened and adjourned.
23 April 1990		Inquest resumed.
26 April 1990		DPP announced that Bowbelle captain Douglas Henderson faced a limited charge of "failure to keep a proper look-out by all available means." Inquest adjourned so as not to prejudice trial.
4-14 April 1991	CH	Henderson trial: Jury failed to agree on verdict.
17-31 July 1991	CH	Henderson retrial: Jury failed to reach verdict again. Henderson was formally acquitted.
August 1991		Marine Accident Investigation Board (M.A.I.B.) Report
February 1992		Coroner confirmed that the Hands of 27 of the deceased had been removed.
Early 1992		Report by Dr. Toft: commissioned by MAG to provide a critique of the M.A.I.B. Report.
June 1992	CH	Private prosecution by Mr. Cloggs - terminated after 3 days on the question of "Causation."
7 July 1992		Hayes Report: Remit was to investigate into the handling by DOT since 1980 of its responsibility for safety of vessels on rivers and inland waters. In light of the Marchioness Disaster, Hayes recommended an independent review of PLA, rescue arrangements, and equipment on the River Thames. Government refused inquiry.
22 July 1992	CH	Coroner's Court: Dr. Paul Knapman refused to stand down and refused resumption of Inquest.
18 January 1993	CH	The High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division: Justice Popplewell grants M.K. Lockwood Croft leave for Judicial Review based on apparent bias of Dr. Knapman in the use of the word "unhinged."
17 May 1993	CH	The High Court of Justice, Divisional Court: Judicial Review heard by Lord Justice Niel and Mr. Justice Mantell.
7 July 1993		Judicial Review: granted leave to appeal to the High Court.
23-24 May 1994	CH	The High Court of Justice: Sir Thomas Bingham, Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Farquharson and Lord Justice Simon Brown heard the appeal.
10 June 1994		Judgment: Dr. Knapman, Coroner and his assistant were stood down. M.K. Lockwood Croft won appeal to apply for an inquest. The High Court and Home Office selected a new coroner.
10 July 1994		Dr. John Burton, Coroner, was nominated to determine whether an inquest was to be held.
18 October 1994	CH	Dr. Burton granted an Inquest for all the Marchioness families.
13 March to	CH	Coroner's Court: Dr. Burton held the new Inquest.
7 April 1995		The Coroner Jury returned the verdict "Unlawful Killing."
26 July 1996		CPS, after deliberating for a year, concluded that there was "…insufficient evidence to justify any further criminal proceedings in this case."
13 October 1996		Southwark Cathedral: Dedication service was held for the additional Memorial Stone containing the names and ages of the of the 51 people who were killed in the Marchioness Disaster.
18 August 1999		Announcement by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott of a Public Inquiry into Safety on the Thames and some aspects of the Marchioness Disaster.
27 September 1999		Lord Justice Anthony Clarke presents Terms of Reference for the Thames Safety Inquiry.
2 December 1999		Lord Justice Clarke's interim report was presented to Parliament by London and Shipping Minister Kieth Hill.
22 December 1999		The final report of the Thames Safety Inquiry was submitted. It contained 44 recommendations for actions on safety measures but did not recommend an over-sight body to monitor them nor suggest a time for their completion.
14 February 2000		Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced that "he has ordered a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Marchioness disaster, and its causes," Lord Justice Anthony Clarke will conduct the Inquiry and have the power to obtain documents, to issue summons for the attendance of witnesses, to take evidence on oath and to order cross-examination.
2 October 2000		Marchioness/Bowbelle Formal Investigation begins.
30 November 2000		The Non-Statutory Inquiry into the Identification of the 51 Victims of the Marchioness River Thames Disaster and the removal of hands from some of the Victims purportedly for fingerprinting.
23 March 2001		FI and NSI reports Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by Command of Her Majesty. Copies may be obtained at Her Majesty's Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ.
October 2001		Application made to EU Human Rights Court
2 January 2002		The launch of Lifeboat Service on the Thames by RNLI.
12 March 2004		Reforming the Coroner System resulting from the Marchioness Disaster and the murders perpetrated by Dr. Harold Shipman.
2006		Draft Coroners Bill ongoing consultations.  Minister in Charge, the Rt/Hon Harriet Harman, QC MP.
2006		Defending established safety standards on the River Thames implemented after the Marchioness Disaster.  Petition against the EU Directive 96/50/EC  new European Boat Master's License which would reduce the age and training qualifications.  Article 3(2) provides exemptions when higher standards are already in place.  Minister in Charge, Dr. Stephen Ladyman, MP.
6 March 2007		Two MAG committee members and three Watermen met with Deputy Prime Minister the Rt/Hon John Prescott MP, to ask for his support regarding "Safety" and "Training" on the River Thames.
7 March 2007		The same two MAG committee members gave oral evidence to The All Party Transport Select Committee who are investigating the EU New Boat Masters License.
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