On 6 March the Herald of Free Enterprise capsized suddenly just outside Zeebrugge and 188 people lost their lives. Tonight Fred Emery investigates why nothing was done to make ferries less vulnerable.

For years ship designers have been urging safety features which, in the event of accident, might prevent rapid capsize and so gain crucial time for passengers to evacuate. But for years shipowners have argued that ferries have a safety record second to none and should not be penalised by costly design changes. The disaster inquiry judge is now considering what changes to recommend.