Posted on February 01, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

The Riverdance roll-on roll-off ferry, which ran into trouble in high winds while crossing the Irish Sea, ran aground last night off the coast of Blackpool.

A total of 19 crewmembers and four passengers had to be flown to safety from the ferry after it was hit by a freak wave in bad weather.   Nine of the crewmembers were still on board when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach on its journey from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to Heysham.  The Vessel issued a Mayday message at 19:30 GMT and three helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Coastguard were sent to the site to assist in winching those on board to shore.

Seatruck Ferries, the company responsible said the vessel had been carrying trucks and trailers when it was struck by the wave.