Stricken ferry Riverdance was hit by feak wave

Feb 1 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Daily Post

TWENTY-THREE people were rescued from a ferry which was at risk of capsizing after being hit by a freak wave in the Irish Sea last night.

The Riverdance eventually ran aground at Blackpool, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

A total of 14 people were earlier airlifted to safety from the roll-on roll-off vessel, in a major rescue which included the coastguard, RAF and RNLI.

The remaining nine people, all crew, were with the ferry when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach, Mark Clark from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

He described conditions in the Irish Sea as “horrendous”, with seven-metre waves and winds of up to 60mph.

The ship was in difficulties over a bank known as Shell Flat which causes powerful banking waves. But as it was shallow water, there was little risk of sinking.

The Riverdance cargo ferry got into difficulties in high winds and a mayday call came into Liverpool coastguards at 7.30pm last night.

Three helicopters were scrambled to airlift the people aboard, who had become stranded 10 nautical miles off the coast of Fleetwood. Conditions were too danger- ous to release its lifeboats.

The ship was heading to Heysham, in Lancashire, from Warrenpoint, in Ireland, when its cargo of trucks and trailers shifted to one side.

Mark Clark, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the vessel had been listing at about 60 degrees.

The helicopters, two from the RAF and one from the Irish coastguard in Dublin, had been sent out along with tug boats and two RNLI lifeboats.

Mr Clark said rescue efforts had been hampered by the bad weather.

He said: “A mayday was broadcast in the area to see if there were other vehicles nearby that could help, and some have responded.”

He added that by 9pm everyone on board had assembled on the ship’s bridge and a helicopter had begun winching them to safety.

Mr Clark said: “The three men that remained in the engine room were told to abandon their posts and get up on deck.”

The ship is a roll-on roll-off vessel, or “ro-ro” for short. It carries cargo but is also allowed to take up to 12 passengers. Mr Clark said the estimates were the ferry was carrying around four passengers last night.

Tony Redding, a spokesman for operators Seatruck Ferries Ltd, confirmed that the stricken vessel was carrying trucks and trailers.

Mr Redding said the ship was struck by a freak wave as it crossed the Irish Sea, and developed a significant list.

Mr Clark 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.

“We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board.”

vickyanderson