Ship owners the Imperial War Museum say the collapse was caused by a subcontractor cutting through the structure of the gangway.
The re-opening will be marked by a “weekend extravaganza” of events on May 26th and 27th.
Phil Reed, Director of HMS Belfast, says; “HMS Belfast shows firsthand what it was like to live and work on board a warship. Since her arrival on the Thames, more than 40 years ago, she has grown to be a national symbol of the efforts and endurance of sailors who took part in the Arctic Convoys, D-Day, the Cold War and Korea.
“London hasn’t been the same in the six months that the iconic HMS Belfast has been closed. Its re-opening in May has been a long time coming and is a cause for great celebration. And that is what we plan to do – celebrate, with all manner of exciting, fun and engaging activities and attractions on board.”
Commenting on the gangway’s collapse, an IWM spokesperson said: “Since the incident, we have worked with the Port of London Authority and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to develop and implement a full recovery plan, and begin work on a replacement gangway which is now underway.
“We have also worked with both the HSE and with our insurers, with whom we jointly appointed an independent investigator, to establish the cause of the damage to the gangway.
“These investigations have allowed us to conclude that the failure resulted from a subcontractor, who while carrying out refurbishment works cut through the structure of the gangway without sufficient support. The HSE investigation is still underway. We will receive their detailed report later this year. “
