MV Derbyshire non-compliance with the standards

Dear Sir or Madam,

With regard to the 2000 Re-opened Formal Investigation into the
sinking of MV Derbyshire.

A paper published at
http://mv-derbyshire.blogspot.com/2009/0...
reveals that the hatch covers on the Derbyshire complied neither
with the minimum strength requirements of the International Load
Line Convention 66 nor with the standards of Lloyd’s Register of
Shipping, in force at the time of the vessel’s build, and that
these non-compliances could have been a crucial factor in the loss
of the vessel.

The final report of the 2000 Derbyshire RFI appears to have have
'overlooked' this fact, stating instead that: “7.16 At the time of
the DERBYSHIRE’s last voyage her hatch covers complied with the
minimum strength requirements of ILLC 66 and of the Lloyd’s
Register of Shipping Rules”.

I would therefore be grateful if you could answer the following
questions:

Does the Department agree with the arguments and disclosures
presented in the above-mentioned online article? If not, could you
provide us with your specific (technical) counter-arguments and
with information regarding the identity of those who formulated
them and offered you technical advice on this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Daniela Drysdale

Dear Sir or Madam,

Could you please acknowledge receipt of my FOI request of 28
January 2009 and confirm that you will be answering it within the
time prescribed by law?

Yours sincerely,

Daniela Drysdale