http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/High-tide-hits-ferry-and.3807847.jpHigh tide hits ferry and delays salvage
The Riverdance
THE Riverdance is here to stay ... for a couple more weeks at least.
Plans to begin pumping water into the starboard side of the ferry this Saturday, in a bid to right it, have been delayed after the safety of the 6,000-ton vessel was put into question.
Attempts to halt the ferry's alarming list have failed as it moved a further 14 degrees following the high tide on Thursday night.
Mark Clark, spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "Originally she was listing at 58 degrees, now it's 72 degrees.
"She rolled because of the high tide and rigs being held in place by lashings have collapsed.
"It's not going to be a happy situation for at least a couple of weeks while salvage crews clear the inside."
Work to drain 100 tons of intermediate fuel oil and 50 tons of diesel from engines on board has now been completed but experts are saying it will take another couple of weeks before the ferry is ready to consider for refloating.
How Riverdance refloat will happen
Once the list of the vessel is corrected, the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) will board the ferry with salvors to inspect the interior.
It is now three weeks since the ferry became beached after being struck by a freak wave but eventually it will be removed from the Fylde coastline by tugs pulling it out to sea.
Large crowds have been drawn to the ship in recent weeks, although a strict exclusion zone has been put in place to prevent sightseers getting too close.
The Riverdance has now been in place for three weeks after being hit by a freak wave on the night of February 1, when 23 passengers and crew were winched to safety by an RAF crew.
Wouldnt surprise me if she becomes a total wreck.