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Bahrain death boat was 'unsteady' Bahrain death boat was 'unsteady'
(4 days later)
A party boat which capsized in Bahrain killing 58 people was so unsteady glasses were falling off tables before it set sail, an inquest has heard.A party boat which capsized in Bahrain killing 58 people was so unsteady glasses were falling off tables before it set sail, an inquest has heard.
Fifteen Britons were among those killed when the Al Dana capsized in March.Fifteen Britons were among those killed when the Al Dana capsized in March.
The inquest in London, looking at the deaths of 10 victims, heard the boat was so unsteady before it left, several people decided to get off.The inquest in London, looking at the deaths of 10 victims, heard the boat was so unsteady before it left, several people decided to get off.
The cause of death for all 10 was given as drowning but no inquest verdict will be given until December.The cause of death for all 10 was given as drowning but no inquest verdict will be given until December.
About 130 people were on board the dhow on 30 March for a party to mark the end of a stage of construction of a major new building.About 130 people were on board the dhow on 30 March for a party to mark the end of a stage of construction of a major new building.
Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving Nicola NolanSome passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving Nicola Nolan
The boat had been hired out for the evening as a thank you to employees who had worked on the building of the first stage of Bahrain's world trade centre towers.The boat had been hired out for the evening as a thank you to employees who had worked on the building of the first stage of Bahrain's world trade centre towers.
The inquest at West London Coroner's Court is looking into the deaths of nine Britons and one German in the disaster.The inquest at West London Coroner's Court is looking into the deaths of nine Britons and one German in the disaster.
A statement from survivor Nicola Nolan, from Ipswich, whose 50-year-old husband William died, was read to the court.A statement from survivor Nicola Nolan, from Ipswich, whose 50-year-old husband William died, was read to the court.
It said: "There was exaggerated movement of the boat while moored.It said: "There was exaggerated movement of the boat while moored.
"The movement was sufficient to cause glasses to fall off the tables."The movement was sufficient to cause glasses to fall off the tables.
"Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving.""Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving."
The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana Solicitor Clive GarnerThe court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana Solicitor Clive Garner
Mrs Nolan told how partygoers had enjoyed a buffet on the lower deck of the boat before moving to the upper deck for a disco.Mrs Nolan told how partygoers had enjoyed a buffet on the lower deck of the boat before moving to the upper deck for a disco.
Det Ch Insp Andy Mortimer, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: "The disaster occurred at the point when a large number of guests vacated the restaurant area on the lower deck and joined the disco party on the upper deck."Det Ch Insp Andy Mortimer, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: "The disaster occurred at the point when a large number of guests vacated the restaurant area on the lower deck and joined the disco party on the upper deck."
The inquest heard the Al Dana left the marina at about 2000 local time and capsized about an hour and 45 minutes later.The inquest heard the Al Dana left the marina at about 2000 local time and capsized about an hour and 45 minutes later.
It had sailed south, passed under a bridge and was turning back when it capsized.It had sailed south, passed under a bridge and was turning back when it capsized.
Survivor Nicola Nolan, whose husband died, gave evidenceSurvivor Nicola Nolan, whose husband died, gave evidence
Solicitor Clive Garner, who is representing 52 survivors or bereaved relatives, said: "The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana.Solicitor Clive Garner, who is representing 52 survivors or bereaved relatives, said: "The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana.
"There are grave concerns about the use of the dhow, its operation and regulation."There are grave concerns about the use of the dhow, its operation and regulation.
"The coroner is seeking to obtain further information from Bahrain in relation to the background circumstances leading to the capsizing of the Al Dana.""The coroner is seeking to obtain further information from Bahrain in relation to the background circumstances leading to the capsizing of the Al Dana."
The inquest has been adjourned until 7 December, when coroner Alison Thompson will give her verdict.The inquest has been adjourned until 7 December, when coroner Alison Thompson will give her verdict.
Those whose inquests are being held are the 10 victims whose bodies were repatriated to the UK via Heathrow Airport:Those whose inquests are being held are the 10 victims whose bodies were repatriated to the UK via Heathrow Airport:
  • Patricia Doyle, 64, of Hagley, Worcestershire, and her English language teacher daughter Roslyn, 35, who she was visiting on the Persian Gulf island
  • Patricia Doyle, 64, of Hagley, Worcestershire, and her English language teacher daughter Roslyn, 35, who she was visiting on the Persian Gulf island
  • Scott Belch, 33, from Redhill, Surrey, and his pregnant German wife Sandra
  • Scott Belch, 33, from Redhill, Surrey, and his pregnant German wife Sandra
  • Jason Brett, 32 and wife Lucinda Lamb, 30, who moved to Bahrain from Surbiton, south London, and left behind two young children
  • Jason Brett, 32 and wife Lucinda Lamb, 30, who moved to Bahrain from Surbiton, south London, and left behind two young children
  • William Nolan, 50, from Ipswich, Suffolk
  • William Nolan, 50, from Ipswich, Suffolk
  • Stephen Grady, 42, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
  • Stephen Grady, 42, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
  • Carl Ottewell, 40, from Bolton upon Dearne, South Yorkshire
  • Carl Ottewell, 40, from Bolton upon Dearne, South Yorkshire
  • Phillip Moody, 48, a father-of-two from Southampton who is said to have saved his wife Alison and another woman before he died.
  • Phillip Moody, 48, a father-of-two from Southampton who is said to have saved his wife Alison and another woman before he died.
    The six other British victims were:The six other British victims were:
  • Christopher Langan, 53, whose family were thought to be from the Newcastle area and lived in Bahrain
  • Christopher Langan, 53, whose family were thought to be from the Newcastle area and lived in Bahrain
  • David Evans, 56, from Glasgow
  • David Evans, 56, from Glasgow
  • Chris Braysher, 47, Jimmy Allen, 59, and Lawrence Sulman, 39, all from UK, but based in South Africa
  • Chris Braysher, 47, Jimmy Allen, 59, and Lawrence Sulman, 39, all from UK, but based in South Africa
  • Andrew Debrunner, an engineer thought to have had dual nationality.
  • Andrew Debrunner, an engineer thought to have had dual nationality.
    The inquest continues.The inquest continues.