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01/02/2008
Cargo Vessel Toppled By Freak Wave
The Riverdance, a roll-on roll-off vessel operated by Seatruck Ferries has run aground at Blackpool. Passengers and crew were airlifted to safety after a freak wave hit the stricken vessel.
Carrying trucks and trailers from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire conditions were said to be “horrendous” with seven metre waves and winds reaching speeds of 60mph.
Fourteen people, including four passengers, were airlifted to safety by the coastguard and the RAF. The remaining nine people, all crew members, were with the ferry when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach and were eventually rescued.
The vessel issued a Mayday at about 7.30pm yesterday and three helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Coastguard, were sent to the scene to help winch those on board to safety. Owner Seatruck Ferries said last night that it was trying to salvage the ferry.
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."
Kevin Hobbs, the Chief Executive of Seatruck Ferries Limited, defended the decision to run the service despite the severe weather conditions.
John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The people on the Riverdance seem very confident. They sound very calm over the radio, and it's all being operated in a very calm, professional manner, as you would expect."
See: High Seas' Drama As Ferry Evacuated
(GC)
Carrying trucks and trailers from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire conditions were said to be “horrendous” with seven metre waves and winds reaching speeds of 60mph.
Fourteen people, including four passengers, were airlifted to safety by the coastguard and the RAF. The remaining nine people, all crew members, were with the ferry when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach and were eventually rescued.
The vessel issued a Mayday at about 7.30pm yesterday and three helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Coastguard, were sent to the scene to help winch those on board to safety. Owner Seatruck Ferries said last night that it was trying to salvage the ferry.
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."
Kevin Hobbs, the Chief Executive of Seatruck Ferries Limited, defended the decision to run the service despite the severe weather conditions.
John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The people on the Riverdance seem very confident. They sound very calm over the radio, and it's all being operated in a very calm, professional manner, as you would expect."
See: High Seas' Drama As Ferry Evacuated
(GC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:All parts will have a dry day. A lot of cloud expected through the day. A little brightness breaking through at times along the coast. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain dry with variable amounts of cloud and some clear periods. Light southwesterly winds. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
