Letter: Backward seats are the way forward
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.Sir: You quote (20 May) a truck driver saying he would rather cross the Channel by ferry where 'at least you can swim for it'. I think his chances would be far higher via Eurotunnel.
As demonstrated at Zeebrugge and Harwich, modern ro-ro ferries are prone to almost instant capsize. This makes it impossible to launch lifeboats, but also makes it extremely difficult to get out of something the size of Selfridges lying on its side, so that none of the stairs can be used in the normal way.
If you are in a position simply to jump into the sea, and the fall from the boat deck doesn't incapacitate you, survival time will be limited in winter or with a heavy sea. The sea may in any case be covered in burning liquid, as in the tanker collision of a few months ago.
It is to be hoped that the Government will, in time, require the ferry companies to reach the same safety level insisted upon for the new Eurostar and Le Shuttle
services.
Yours faithfully,
RODERICK MACKAY
Cardiff
20 May
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments