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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 about 0600 GMT to try to refloat the vessel.An RNLI spokesman said rescue teams were waiting for high tide at about 0600 GMT to try to refloat the vessel.
Listing 60 degrees
Mark Clark from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur.Mark Clark from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur.
"It's going to be very difficult overnight to see that, but we will have people out."It's going to be very difficult overnight to see that, but we will have people out.
"We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board.""We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board."
Listing 60 degrees
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 Riverdance got into difficulties on Thursday evening, 10 nautical miles off the coast of Fleetwood, Lancashire, over a bank known as Shell Flat.
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 In pictures: Rescue operation
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.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.
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.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.
Two lifeboats with volunteer crews also assisted in the rescue operation.Two lifeboats with volunteer crews also assisted in the rescue operation.
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 class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7221453.stm">In pictures: Rescue operation Rich Taylor, one of the RAF winch men involved, said: "It took some time to get the first rope down to the boat.
"Unfortunately, we then lost contact with that rope just through the boat moving away from us in the big swirl.
"So we had another bash at it and managed to get another rope down and this time I went onto the boat to meet the people, have a chat and sort them out."
There are many ships at sea at the moment in these conditions and we've just been extremely unlucky Kevin HobbsSeatruck Ferries Limited
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.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.
The wave caused the ship's cargo to shift resulting in the vessel developing a significant list of 60 degrees.The wave caused the ship's cargo to shift resulting in the vessel developing a significant list of 60 degrees.
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.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.
Kevin Hobbs, the chief executive of Seatruck Ferries Limited, defended the decision to run the service in bad weather.
"When the vessel sailed there was no cause for concern," he said.
"There are many ships at sea at the moment in these conditions and we've just been extremely unlucky."
Those airlifted to safety have been taken to Blackpool Airport to recover and be assessed for injuries.Those airlifted to safety have been taken to Blackpool Airport to recover and be assessed for injuries.
Superintendent Richard Spedding, of Lancashire Police, said a couple of them had "very, very minor injuries" but they were "glad to be safe on dry land".