Riverdance

[john_s]

The Riverdance ran aground on the beach just north of Blackpool overnight on the 31 January.

I went up this afternoon to take a look, and of course my 40D went along for the trip, so here are a couple of my pics...

http://www.topsydog.co.uk/pics/riverdance1.jpg

http://www.topsydog.co.uk/pics/riverdance2.jpg

(Both ISO 100, 1/200, f/8, first @85mm, second @70mm).

It was funny - a windy Saturday afternoon and Blackpool was busier than it gets in the summer season!

[symbolphoto]

Was that police truck there to ensure nobody got any closer?

[FlyingPhotog]

Was that police truck there to ensure nobody got any closer?

Shoot Looters?

[dig-it-al]

Matchbox truck for scale?

[john_s]

Was that police truck there to ensure nobody got any closer?

It was a Coastguard vehicle - though I appreciate that can't be seen on that pic after reszing. ;)

The Coastguard had the beach closed adjacent to the ship and the Police had the promenade and adjacent roads closed as well; they were herding anyone away that tried to get closer on the beach and turning people away from the closed roads unless they had a press card.

It would have been a challenge to get on to do any looting; though according to the BBC News website, packets of biscuits have been washing ashore from one of the wagons on board. :lol:

[PhotosGuy]

Have they said why that happened?



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[Simoli]

Have they said why that happened?
He ran out of water;)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[BobOh]

Ba-da-boom. Photosguy sets it up and Simoli knocks it out of the park:):) On a more serious note, I would like to know what the dark band color is, black or blue, or is it just my monitor that's off?

[WMS]

It looks like that ship is going to pose some major problems. Any Idea how they are planning to refloat her?

Wayne

[LBaldwin]

I guess Michael Flatleys 2nd career has run aground now too....

Sorry

[Anke]

Just shows you how strong the tide can be, the ship isn't sitting in much water at the moment.
Did they say what biscuits? Is it worth making the trip? :D :D

[john_s]

Have they said why that happened?


Apparently the seas were very rough, and suddenly an extra large wave broke the chains securing some of the wagons, causing the load to shift and the ship to begin to list. One report said that the (or an) engine was swamped.

The few passengers and some crew were lifted off while the remaining crew attempted to stabilise the ship, but they were lifted off later.

The ship has drifted aground on the tide and become stranded; salvage equipment was starting to be delivered yesterday while I was there, but todays reports say it might be a week before it is recovered.


Apparently the biscuits are McVities, but I've not heard which type.


Oh, and the dark band is blue; it has come out a bit dark.

[ies photos]

Nice images.


I have it on good authority that the soggy biscuits are Milk Chocolate Digestives!

[john_s]

Thanks.

Bah! I prefer the plain chocolate ones. :D

[pOrk]

Wow, ship looks much bigger when its not half in the water :) Thanks for sharing

[marie]

its great to see the shots John
I watched (in wonder) what was happening
pictures of the action shown later , some taken with mobile phones
( shown on TV)

the safe rescue of all on board..... by the RAF and Irish Coastguard was just wonderful .... in gale force winds and massive waves. the storm conditions were just horrendous

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0201/ferry.html



" Helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Irish Coastguard battled mountainous seas and 90km/h winds to rescue the 23 passengers and crew.

All but nine essential crew members had been winched to safety when the vessel ran aground at about 5am.http://dynamic.rte.ie/000145e0096.jpg
The captain then made the decision to evacuate those remaining on board as well. "


a few ships went aground during that storm
great praise for everyone involved in the rescue
their lives were very much in danger , the helicoptors dangling over the ship in such strong winds

[john_s]

I heard on the radio news while driving home this evening that the ship has listed even further over, and the salvage operation could take longer than expected.

I think I'll head over again at weekend and have a look anyway.

[Greg Jones]

There are easier ways of dry docking a ship :wink:
Thanks for sharing, never seen this happen before and probably won't again.