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Remote service in Dover for Herald of Free Enterprise capsize in Zeebrugge, 1987

A remote memorial for the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster takes place today from 10am.

St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover is doing a short service by recorded Zoom for the 34th annuversary.

The Herald went down 34 years ago today
The Herald went down 34 years ago today

It will then be put onto YouTube for members of the public to see.

Details of how exactly the film can be seen will be given later.

The annual event is organised by the Sailors' Society.

This year's service has to be done remotely, again because of the coronavirus lockdown.

It is for 20 minutes and starts with a welcome by church vicar the Rev Melissa Carter.

How the Mercury first detailed the tragedy, the edition of March 12, 1987
How the Mercury first detailed the tragedy, the edition of March 12, 1987

David Slater, from the Port of Dover Chaplaincy will lead the act of remembrance and all 193 names of those who died will be read out. Chaplains will afterwards pray on the seafront.

The sinking of the Dover Townsend Thoresen ferry was one of the worst ever British peace time maritime disasters.

The vessel capsized minutes after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on the evening of March 6, 1987.

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