Menu
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)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 June 2004
Report finds UK ferry safety 'improving'
UK car ferries are now among the safest in Europe, with dramatic improvements in standards over the last four years, according to a survey published by The AA Motoring Trust in conjunction with other European motoring organisations. There are now 16 million people travelling on ferries sailing to and from UK ports each year.
Report finds UK ferry safety 'improving'
UK car ferries are now among the safest in Europe, with dramatic improvements in standards over the last four years, according to a survey published by The AA Motoring Trust in conjunction with other European motoring organisations. There are now 16 million people travelling on ferries sailing to and from UK ports each year.
06 January 2005
Listing cargo vessel makes port safely
A major rescue operation off Scotland involving a listing cargo vessel has been stood down. The Latvian registered vessel Sea Fox got into difficulties when the cargo of timber shifted and the vessel developed a 50 degree list.
Listing cargo vessel makes port safely
A major rescue operation off Scotland involving a listing cargo vessel has been stood down. The Latvian registered vessel Sea Fox got into difficulties when the cargo of timber shifted and the vessel developed a 50 degree list.
29 November 2005
Irish Ferries pull extra security from ships
This afternoon it was reported that Irish Ferries has removed additional security personnel from its four ships stranded in a union dispute.
Irish Ferries pull extra security from ships
This afternoon it was reported that Irish Ferries has removed additional security personnel from its four ships stranded in a union dispute.
18 February 2015
Cargo Ship Could Be Stuck 'For Some Time'
A large cargo ship has run aground near Ardnamurchan Point and could be stuck there "for some time". It is understood that Lysblink Seaways got into difficulty at about 2am on Wednesday at Kilchoan and ran aground a short time later. It was believed that the ship would refloat at the next high tide, but it failed to do so.
Cargo Ship Could Be Stuck 'For Some Time'
A large cargo ship has run aground near Ardnamurchan Point and could be stuck there "for some time". It is understood that Lysblink Seaways got into difficulty at about 2am on Wednesday at Kilchoan and ran aground a short time later. It was believed that the ship would refloat at the next high tide, but it failed to do so.
04 April 2012
Vessel Aground At Llanddulas
Last night Liverpool Coastguard received a distress call from the cargo ship Carrier telling them they had run aground at Raynes Jetty, Llanddulas. At around 8pm a strong gale was blowing and a five metre swell was reported. Because of the location of the grounding Holyhead Coastguard coordinated the rescue.
Vessel Aground At Llanddulas
Last night Liverpool Coastguard received a distress call from the cargo ship Carrier telling them they had run aground at Raynes Jetty, Llanddulas. At around 8pm a strong gale was blowing and a five metre swell was reported. Because of the location of the grounding Holyhead Coastguard coordinated the rescue.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
