Helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Irish coastguard were scrambled to rescue passengers and crew on the Riverdance off the coast of Fleetwood, Lancashire, after it started listingPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/GettyThe vessel had been hit by a huge wave amid 60mph winds, causing its cargo to shift Photograph: Christopher Furlong/GettyThe Royal National Life Boat Institute, which sent lifeboats from Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes to assist, described the conditions as 'horrendous'Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA
The rescuers had to contend with a force-10 storm, with winds gusting at over 60mph and waves up to 30ft highPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/GettyThe Riverdance was today stranded about 200m off the north shore of Blackpool beachPhotograph: Paul Ellis/AFPMark Clark, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said there were now concerns about possible pollution from the shipPhotograph: Paul Thomas/APA spokesman for Seatruck Ferries, which operates Riverdance, said the vessel was carrying trucks and trailersPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.