The Riverdance was a RORO ferry in service with Seatruck Ferries when it beached on the, 31 January 2008 near Cleveleys, UK.


An Irish Sea ferry, the mv RIVERDANCE, grounded on the North Shore, Blackpool. The vessel had sent out a mayday last night at 1943 GMT on the 1st February, 2008. The ship had developed a list of 60 degrees after some of her cargo of lorries and trailers shifted. Nine of her crew stayed aboard and the ship grounded on Blackpool's North Shore. Despite their efforts they were unable to get the vessel refloated under her own power and they too were airlifted to safety. On 31 January 2008 at 19:30 she was "broadsided" by a wave, causing the cargo to shift. At 19:45 the captain sent a Mayday call. The ship was listing at 60 degrees. At 20:00 the rescue crew at RAF Valley on Anglesey was put on standby, being scrambled at 20:20. Liverpool Coastguard co-ordinated assistance. Helicopters from the Irish Coast Guard, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force attended, along with lifeboats from Lytham and Fleetwood. The Steersman assisted with communications and the support vessels Clwyd Supporter and Highland Sprite were reported to be on their way to assist. Before he was rescued, one of the passengers made an emotional, and what he thought at the time final, mobile phone call home to his wife. Starting at 21:00, eight people were airlifted from the ship, which later ran aground on Cleveleys's North Beach opposite Anchorsholme Lane at around 22:50 very close to the remains of the Abana. The passengers and crew lifted off the ship arrived at Blackpool airport at 22:00, and two of them were taken to hospital suffering from mild hypothermia, but were not admitted. The passenger who had called his wife was able to call her at 22:30 to say that he was safe. Six crew members were taken off the vessel after it had run aground.


Size: 3413px × 5120px
Location: Anchorsholme, Blackpool, Fleetwood uk
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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