Relatives of the dead and injured of the Marchioness riverboat tragedy were told during a 10th anniversary memorial service at Southwark Cathedral yesterday that only by confronting the truth of that "terrible night" could any good come of the disaster.
Fifty-one people died on the Marchioness after the riverboat collided with the 1,475-tonne dredger Bowbelle.
Yesterday, Canon Dr Jeffrey John, the Canon Chancellor of Southwark Cathedral, acknowledged the widespread relief felt by the families and friends of those who died at this week's announcement by the British government that there would be a public inquiry into safety on the Thames and the circumstances surrounding the events of the disaster in 1989.
He said the inquiry would "reawaken terrible memories" but the wounds would heal. A series of errors later emerged, including the fact that both boats had limited visibility and the skipper and lookout on the Bowbelle had been drinking, prompting appeals to hold an inquiry into the crash.
The deputy prime minister, Mr John Prescott, announced the new inquiry this week, saying a judge would be appointed to take evidence and recommend what safety improvements were required on the Thames.
Lighting a candle for the 51 victims, Canon John said it represented "a living flame for a living presence and a living hope - that after whatever disaster, after whatever grief after all the bearing and hoping and enduring are done, love will never end".
He said those who died in the tragedy had lived "all too brief lives" and they were individuals "so full of life and love and gifts, and who mean an incalculable amount to those who know and love them". Mr Billy Gorman, whose sister-in-law, Ms Carmello Lennon-Gorman, from Co Limerick, died in the tragedy, and Mr Mark Brewer, who survived, read out the names of the 51 victims of the tragedy during the service.
Mr Gorman said afterwards: "It was a really, really wonderful service and very uplifting. I hope we can draw a line in the sand now. John Prescott has delivered the goods as far as an inquiry is concerned."