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Ferry runs aground at Blackpool Ferry runs aground off 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 off 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 flown to safety from the Riverdance, after it was hit by a freak wave in bad weather.
Nine crew members were still on board when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach. Nine crew members were still on board when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach. They were also rescued later and flown to safety.
They too were airlifted to safety after a second Mayday call from the captain when the ship started to list again. Riverdance owner Seatruck Ferries is trying to salvage the vessel.
An RNLI spokesman said rescue teams were waiting for high tide at about 0600 GMT to try to refloat the vessel. A spokesman for Seatruck Ferries said: "The conditions are such that the master requested helicopter transfer of all personnel.
Listing 60 degrees "All nine (crew members) are now safely off."
Mark Clark from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur. He added: "The issue was that as we approached high water the vessel started to rotate broadside on the beach.
"It's going to be very difficult overnight to see that, but we will have people out. "The high swell caused a list and, under those circumstances, the master decided safety came first."
"We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board." He said the boat was listing 30 degrees and there was a risk that a helicopter rescue would be impossible if it was delayed any longer.
"We have now organised salvage assistance for the vessel," he added.
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 operationRIVERDANCE 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 10 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 lifted 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.
Rich Taylor, one of the RAF winch men involved, said: "It took some time to get the first rope down to the boat.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."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." "So we had another bash at it and managed to get another rope down."
There are many ships at sea at the moment in these conditions and we've just been extremely unlucky Kevin HobbsSeatruck Ferries LimitedThere 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. Seatruck Ferries Limited 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.
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 (96km/h).
'Extremely unlucky'
Kevin Hobbs, the chief executive of Seatruck Ferries Limited, defended the decision to run the service in bad weather.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."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.""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 flown 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". Supt 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".