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Ferry runs aground at Blackpool Ferry runs aground at Blackpool
(about 1 hour later)
A roll-on roll-off ferry which ran into trouble in high winds in the Irish Sea has run aground at Blackpool.A roll-on roll-off ferry which ran into trouble in high winds in the Irish Sea has run aground at Blackpool.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said 14 people were airlifted to safety from the Riverdance, after it was hit by a freak wave in bad weather.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said 14 people were airlifted to safety from the Riverdance, after it was hit by a freak wave in bad weather.
The remaining nine crew members were with the ferry when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach.The remaining nine crew members were with the ferry when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach.
An RNLI spokesman said rescue teams were waiting for high tide at 0600 GMT to see if the vessel could be An RNLI spokesman said rescue teams were waiting for high tide at about 0600 GMT to try and refloat the vessel.
refloated. Mark Clark from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur.
Liverpool Coastguard received a Mayday call from the Riverdance at 1943 GMT. "It's going to be very difficult overnight to see that, but we will have people out.
Three helicopters - one from the navy, one from the RAF and one from the coastguard - as well as RNLI lifeboats were sent to the scene. "We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board."
The Irish Coast Guard also sent a helicopter as back-up. Listing 60 degrees
The Riverdance had been sailing from Warrenpoint in County Down to Heysham in Lancashire when it got into difficulties in 7m waves. The Riverdance got into difficulties on Thursday evening, 10 nautical miles off the coast of Fleetwood, Lancashire, over a bank known as Shell Flat.
The conditions are treacherous, with a north westerly wind blowing at force nine to 10 and very high seas John Matthews, RNLI The vessel issued a Mayday at about 1930 GMT and three helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Coastguard, were sent to the scene to help winch the four passengers and 19 crew to safety.
Jim Paton from Holyhead Coastguard said: "It's extremely difficult to assess it. At the moment it's very rough. People were airlifted two at a time into the helicopters, with a number of the crew staying on board to try and prevent the vessel from sinking.
"Apparently the initial cause of the vessel developing a list was the cargo trucks and trailers shifting. Obviously those are still moving about and it is a dynamic situation, depending on the weather." RIVERDANCE FACTS Built in 1977Capacity for 55 vehiclesIs 115m in lengthCrosses Irish Sea twice a day It carries cargo but is also allowed to take up to 12 passengers
John Matthews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution added: "The conditions are treacherous, with a north westerly wind blowing at force nine to 10 and very high seas." A spokesman for Seatruck Ferries Limited, which operates Riverdance, said the stricken vessel had been carrying trucks and trailers from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire, when it was struck by the freak wave.
Major incident The wave caused the ship's cargo to shift resulting in the vessel developing a significant list of 60 degrees.
The Riverdance got into trouble approximately eight miles west of Fleetwood, Lancashire, in the Irish Sea. Speaking during the rescue operation, John Matthews from Fleetwood RNLI described the sea conditions as "horrendous" with 7m waves and winds of up to 60mph.
Liverpool Coastguard are treating the rescue as a major incident. There are no reports of anyone injured or missing at present. Those airlifted to safety have been taken to Blackpool Airport to recover and be assessed for injuries.
However, the coastguard is not sure whether the ferry will capsize and says it is in a precarious position.
Tony Redding, a spokesman for Seatruck Ferries which owns the vessel, said the ship's master ordered the evacuation as a precaution but that some of the crew were planning to stay on board to do all they could to stop the vessel from sinking.
John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said the rescue was progressing in a very "calm, professional manner" and that as the vessel was in shallow water, it was unlikely to sink.
Those airlifted from the ferry are being taken to Blackpool Airport to recover.