Movie recreates Estonia disaster

Movie recreates Estonia disaster

The Estonia ferry sank with 850 lives lost

A passenger ferry on the busy Fishguard to Rosslare route is providing the backdrop for the set of a thriller film.

The production crew working on Baltic Storm - starring Greta Scaachi and Donald Sutherland - will begin three days of filming at Fishguard, west Wales, on Monday.

Residents in Fishguard will feature as extras in the $6m film, which is entirely financed by Welsh film company Aquarius.

The film focuses on the real-life Estonia ferry disaster, which sank in 1994, claiming 852 lives.

Disaster

Relatives of the victims have never been satisfied with the official explanation of the disaster, which took place in the Baltic Sea between Estonia and Sweden.

The film is due to be released next year, to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the disaster, one of the worst in maritime history.

The Estonia set off from the Estonian capital Tallinn on 27 September, 1994 at about 1900 local time with 989 passengers and staff on board.

Donald Sutherland: Star of film

Findings from the Joint Investigation Commission revealed that at approximately 0100 local time, high seas tore off the bow visor, exposing the car ramp, which loosened, allowing the sea onto the car decks.

The ferry became unstable and capsized.

Filming will take place over three days and nights on a Fishguard-Rosslare ferry and at locations in the port.

Terence Potter, chief executive of Cardiff-based Aquarius, said he hoped Baltic Storm would prove a hit with audiences.

"Aquarius is achieving an international reputation for the quality of its projects and Baltic Storm will be an important step forward for us.

"This will be a thought-provoking and gripping production, underpinned with a serious message which is highly relevant in today's world."