Folkestone tragedy changes long standing international maritime laws
Written by Terry Sutton, Area Ambassador for Whitfield, Kent A major tragedy at sea 50 years ago this month, January 2021, resulted in a major change to international maritime laws. It all began on the night of January 11 in 1971 with the collision of two ships off Folkestone sparking off a series of accidents resulting in the loss of 51 lives. Terry Sutton was in bed at home in the early hours of January 11 when he was woken by a terrific explosion, something he hasn't forgotten. It was the result of a collision seven miles off Folkestone near the Varne Bank, between the 13,600 ton oil ta...