Gary Bradford was on board tug at scene of Harwich disaster

Captain Gary Bradford was on board one of the tugs at the scene after the European Gateway passenger ferry collided with the British Rail ferry Speedlink Vanguard near Harwich on December 19, 1982.

The Gateway, a roll-on, roll-off Townsend Thoresen vessel, had left Felixstowe, bound for mainland Europe, in force eight to ten winds when the accident happened about a mile off the coast at 10.50pm.

An aerial view of the European Gateway on its side (Image: Richard Snasdell) READ MORE: Tragedy in the North Sea - remembering the European Gateway disaster

The passenger ship, with 34 passengers and 36 crew on board, listed and capsized and came to rest on its side on a sandbank.

Rescue boats rushed to the scene and within an hour almost everyone on the Gateway was accounted for, although half a dozen were missing.

Five bodies were later found and four of the dead were crew members, with the remainder being lorry drivers.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

There were no injuries among the 28 crew on board the Vanguard.

Mr Bradford said he was at the scene throughout the night ensuring that everyone had life jackets, while the crew from another tug were taking people on board.

Gary Bradford was on the scene when the European Gateway capsized in 1982 (Image: Submitted) He recalled how helicopters from the United States Air Force (USAF) base at RAF Bentwaters were also involved and dropped flares to light up the area.

Mr Bradford has taken retirement after sustaining a shoulder injury, having started at the age of 16 in 1979 and progressing through the ranks to become a captain.

He described how the industry had changed during that period, particularly through the introduction of new technology.

The European Gateway capsized after colliding with the Speedlink Vanguard (Image: David Kindred) READ MORE: Suffolk news

He said when he first started the tow gear had to be brought on board by hand, but now it was done by winch, meaning that fewer crew members were needed.

There used to be a crew of six on board the tugs, but now there were three.

Mr Bradford, who retired earlier this month, said: "I plan to make the most of it and have more holidays."