Ferry passengers smelled sewage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PASSENGERS using the ferry in which two children died after inhaling toxic fumes had complained on earlier voyages about the smell of sewage. The Celtic Pride sailed again last night on the Cork-Swansea route after repairs to her waste-storage system.
The latest revelations follow the findings of an investigation by Irish officials that the tragedy was a one-in-a-million chance. The ferry operators confirmed last night that they had received a written complaint from a passenger about strong sewage smells after a voyage in April 1991.
Steve Brenman, of south-west London, told the Swansea-Cork Ferry Company the stench from the bathroom in his cabin had been 'worse than a sewer'. A spokesman for the company said similar complaints were received 'from time to time' either in writing or orally to the crew.
Yesterday a number of passengers who had travelled on earlier crossings reported problems with the Celtic Pride's sewage system. Martin Appleby, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who travelled to Cork with his family on 17 July and returned on 1 August, said he had experienced foul smells in the bathroom of his cabin on both crossings. On the outward voyage he had reported it to a ship's officer and to gardai in Cork. He said the incident had been recorded in the ship's log.
Last night the Dublin government called on all ferry companies serving the Irish Republic to review their ships' waste systems.
The official investigation concluded yesterday that the two children who died had inhaled toxic sewage gases. Katherine and James Tomlins were found dead in their cabin by their parents when the ferry docked in their home city of Cork on Wednesday after a stormy 10-hour voyage from Swansea.
The Celtic Pride returned to Swansea last night with more than 400 passengers. They included Denis Murphy, Swansea-Cork Ferry's non-executive chairman. He promised that the company would implement any modifications recommended. 'I can assure you this will never happen again.'
Safety questions, page 2
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments