Thames: A skipper involved in the Marchioness riverboat tragedy, which claimed 51 lives, has been found fit to hold a British master's certificate, which allows him to continue piloting boats professionally.
Douglas Henderson was captain of the dredger Bowbelle, which collided with the Marchioness on the River Thames in central London on August 20th, 1989.
Lord Justice Clarke's inquiry into the disaster laid the blame on poor look-outs posted on both vessels and Henderson, who drank six pints of lager the afternoon before the tragedy.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott ordered in March this year that the captain undergo a competency review.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said, despite the controversy surrounding Captain Henderson's past actions,' it had to apply the same standards and approach as it did to all other seafarers holding competency certificates.
The MCA said that Captain Henderson was still fit to continue holding a British certificate of competency as master, as he met all the service and medical fitness requirements.
December 4, 2001 14:30
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