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Salvage bids assessed amid storms Salvage bids assessed amid storms
(40 minutes later)
Salvage crews are looking at how to recover a stricken ferry and trawler that ran aground off the UK coast in severe weather and stormy seas.Salvage crews are looking at how to recover a stricken ferry and trawler that ran aground off the UK coast in severe weather and stormy seas.
Rescuers airlifted 23 passengers and crew from a ferry which was beached by a freak wave off Blackpool's coast.Rescuers airlifted 23 passengers and crew from a ferry which was beached by a freak wave off Blackpool's coast.
A helicopter winched 14 people to safety from the stricken trawler off St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides.A helicopter winched 14 people to safety from the stricken trawler off St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides.
Elsewhere high winds have caused power cuts, road closures, and disruption to drivers and travellers.Elsewhere high winds have caused power cuts, road closures, and disruption to drivers and travellers.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across the UK with the exception of south-east England.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across the UK with the exception of south-east England.
A Rotterdam-based salvage team is on its way to Blackpool after a huge wave smashed into the Riverdance, the grounded ferry off the Lancashire coast, as it crossed the Irish Sea at about 2000GMT on Thursday night. The Riverdance ferry became grounded off the coast near Blackpool in Lancashire, as it crossed the Irish Sea at about 2000GMT on Thursday night.
The freight vessel which had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham started to list at an angle of 60 degrees.
The Bahamas-registered vessel, which was built in 1977, is now being monitored by the coastguard in case of any oil spills. It is carrying 150 tonnes of fuel.
Operation to float ferryUK weather in picturesOperation to float ferryUK weather in pictures
But their efforts will be hampered by what coastguards say are winds of up to 70mph. But the salvage team's efforts are being hampered by what coastguards say are winds of up to 70mph.
The freight vessel which had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire began listing at an angle of 60 degrees off the coast.
The Bahamas-registered vessel, which was built in 1977, is being monitored by the coastguard in case of any oil spills. It is carrying 150 tonnes of fuel.
One of those involved in the recovery operation praised the rescue crews and the Riverdance's captain.One of those involved in the recovery operation praised the rescue crews and the Riverdance's captain.
John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The conditions were terrible. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The conditions were terrible. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.
"Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was.""Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was."
Mr Matthews said it was "some of the worst" weather the Fleetwood lifeboat had ever been sent out in.Mr Matthews said it was "some of the worst" weather the Fleetwood lifeboat had ever been sent out in.
Environment fearsEnvironment fears
The Spanish crew of the British-registered Spinningdale trawler have now been flown to Stornoway. Four were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.The Spanish crew of the British-registered Spinningdale trawler have now been flown to Stornoway. Four were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Their vessel ran aground on rocks on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago - 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.Their vessel ran aground on rocks on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago - 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
The trawler hit rocks on the St Kilda islands, the remotest part of Britain href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7220000/newsid_7222300?redirect=7222372.stm&news=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&asb=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">The coastguard The trawler hit rocks on the St Kilda islands, the remotest part of Britain
They were unable to evacuate to a life raft because of Force 9 winds.They were unable to evacuate to a life raft because of Force 9 winds.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will launch an investigation into the incident amid fears the trawler could pose an environmental risk to the archipelago, which is a twice-listed World Heritage Site.The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will launch an investigation into the incident amid fears the trawler could pose an environmental risk to the archipelago, which is a twice-listed World Heritage Site.
Jamie Ralston, the rescue centre co-ordinator at Stornoway Coastguard, told the BBC: "Our main concern ... if the vessel does break up, there was 8,000 litres of fuel oil and 450 litres of lube oil on board the vessel, is what damage that might do to the surrounding coastline and wildlife."Jamie Ralston, the rescue centre co-ordinator at Stornoway Coastguard, told the BBC: "Our main concern ... if the vessel does break up, there was 8,000 litres of fuel oil and 450 litres of lube oil on board the vessel, is what damage that might do to the surrounding coastline and wildlife."
Gales and snowGales and snow
Several other areas of the country are also bracing themselves for bad weather. Forecasters predict there will be snow in the north east of England as well as Yorkshire and Cumbria starting around lunchtime. Meanwhile motorists across the country have also been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents, and two filling stations in Cumbria have had parts of their roofs blown off.
Later in the day the snow will reach Lincolnshire and East Anglia. Durham police have launched a rescue operation in Teesdale after 100 vehicles became stranded in the snow west of Bowes village.
Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents, and two filling stations in Cumbria have had parts of their roofs blown off. Drivers are being moved to a nearby village hall and pub. Officers are warning those stranded to stay with their cars until the emergency services can reach them.
Meanwhile, southern parts of the UK are seeing few signs of the bad weather, with most areas bathed in sunshine.
BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said Scotland could expect gales and 20cm to 30cm of snow across the hills, but added "this is not unusual" for the region.
Do you know anyone who was on the ferry? Have you been affected by bad weather in your area? Are you finding it difficult to travel because of the storms? Send us your experiences using the form below.Do you know anyone who was on the ferry? Have you been affected by bad weather in your area? Are you finding it difficult to travel because of the storms? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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