MS Riverdance

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Career (Bahamas)
Name: MS Riverdance
Owner: Mashala Shipping Co., Hamilton, Bermuda
Seaboard (1987)
Schiaffino Lines (1988)
Sally Ferries
Seatruck Ferries (1997)
Operator: Crescent Marine Services Ltd
Builder: Rickmers Reederei G.m.b.H, Bremerhaven, Germany.
Yard number: 389
Launched: 15 April 1977
Christened: Mashala
Completed: 30 June 1977
Out of service: 31 January 2008
Renamed: Halla (1987)
Tikal (1988)
Schiaffino (1989)
Sally Eurobridge (1993)
Eurobridge (1994)
Sally Eurobridge (1995)
Eurobridge (1996)
Riverdance (1996)
Homeport: Nassau, Bahamas
Identification: IMO number 7635361, Callsign C6CG3
Status: Beached at Blackpool, Lancashire, in process of being scrapped.
General characteristics
Tonnage: 6041 GRT
Length: 116.31 metres (381 ft 7 in)
Beam: 18.22 metres (59 ft 9 in)
Draught: 5.38 metres (17 ft 8 in)
Installed power: 4,410 kilowatts (5,910 hp)
Propulsion: 2 x MaK 8M453AK Diesel engines
Speed: 15kt
Capacity: 12 passengers, 65 trailers
Crew: 19

The Riverdance is a RORO ferry formerly in service with Seatruck Ferries on the Irish Sea. Riverdance was hit by a wave on the 31 January 2008 which caused her cargo to shift and she was eventually beached at Blackpool, very close to the border with Cleveleys. Attempts to refloat her failed, and she is to be scrapped on site.

Her normal route was Heysham - Warrenpoint. She has a sister ship, the Moondance, which is currently in service with Seatruck. She was a cargo vessel, but she sometimes carried passengers, under UK maritime law she was able to carry up to 12 passengers.

Contents

[edit] History

Built as the Mashala in 1977, renamed Halla in 1987, Tikal in 1988 and then Schiaffino in 1989, she operated at first in the Mediterranean and then the Caribbean. In 1993 she was operating in the Irish Sea, and renamed Sally Eurobridge. In 1994 she was operating in the North Sea under the name Eurobridge, returning to Sally Eurobridge when the charter ended. In 1995-96 she was on charter to Norfolk Lines under the name Eurobridge again, then chartered to Seatruck and renamed Riverdance, being bought outright in 1997.[1]

[edit] Shipwreck

Riverdance beached at Blackpool
Riverdance beached at Blackpool

On 31 January 2008 at 19:30[2] the MS Riverdance was "broadsided" by a wave, causing the cargo to shift.[3] At 19:45 the captain issued 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.[4][5] Liverpool Coastguard co-ordinated assistance provided to the ship. Helicopters from the Irish Coast Guard, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force attended,[6] along with lifeboats from Lytham and Fleetwood. The Steersman assisted with communications and the tugs Clwyd Supporter and Highland Sprite were reported to be on their way to assist the ship.[7] 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.[8] Starting at 21:00, eight[9] people were airlifted from the ship, which later ran aground on Cleveleys's North Beach, opposite Anchorsholme Lane at around 22:50 (grid ref SD 309 424 53°52′24″N 3°03′09″W / 53.873182, -3.052444).[5][10][11] The place where the Riverdance beached is very close to the remains of the Abana,[12] and directly above the former Little Bispham underground car park.[13]

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 detained.[5][14] The passenger who had called his wife was able to call her at 22:30 to say that he was safe.[15] Six further crew members were taken off the vessel after it had run aground. A helicopter from RAF Prestwick was used for this part of the opertion.[9]

The decision to evacuate the remaining nine crew members of the ship was made in the early hours of 1 February.[7] The remaining crew were airlifted off the ship at 04:00 on 1 February.[5] The rescued crew and passengers were either accommodated at a hotel in Lancaster, or provided with a taxi to take them home.[14][15]

[edit] Aftermath

Like the Athina B at Brighton in 1980, the Riverdance was a temporary tourist attraction, with local traders reporting that they were as busy as they would normally be during the Blackpool Illuminations.[16] The boom lasted for over ten weeks, with the refloating at one time being scheduled to take place in the week commencing 18 February, coinciding with the half-term holiday. Large crowds are expected to view the refloating of the ship.[17] The ship was also expected to bring extra visitors to Blackpool over the Easter weekend.[18] The Tourist Information Centre at Cleveleys reported a large increase in enquiries in the weeks after Riverdance grounded.[19] Local residents complained that the influx of visitors "made their lives hell", raising parking, traffic and litter issues.[20] By early April, the number of visitors coming to see the beached vessel had begun to drop.[21]

The owner of an ice-cream parlour in Cleveleys prepared a display of photographs of the stricken ferry and used these to raise funds for the Fleetwood branch of the local RNLI in appreciation of their work in rescuing the passengers and crew of the Riverdance.[22] Blackpool Council were reported to be studying the effect that the shipwreck had on tourism in the area, and looking to learn lessons from the event which would help boost tourism in the future. It was estimated that over 100,000 people came to see the Riverdance.[23]

[edit] The rescue

Rescue crews involved in the incident described the weather as "some of the worst we've ever seen". The crew of the helicopter from RAF Valley said the wind was gusting between 30 and 70 knots. The position on board ship of the people to be rescued was such that it was the safest for them to be in should the ship roll over, but also the position which made it hardest for the helicopter crew to rescue them from.

Lifeboats from Lytham and Fleetwood attended the scene and were ready to recover any casualties from the sea should the need arise. They also illuminated the ship with their searchlights.[24]

[edit] Awards

The crew of the helicopter from RAF Valley involved in the rescue were given the 2008 Defence Helicopter SAR award for their part in the rescue operation. The crew were Flight Lieutenant Lee Turner, Flight Lieutenant Giles Ratcliffe, Sergeant John Stevens and MACR Rich Taylor.[9]

[edit] Salvage

Initial salvage of cargo
Initial salvage of cargo

It had initially been hoped to recover the vessel and return her to service. However, the eventual outcome was that Riverdance is to be scrapped on site.

[edit] Preparation

Coastguards monitored the ship, which was carrying 150 tonnes of fuel oil.[25] An attempt to refloat the ship was to have been made at high tide, due at 18:00 on 1 February, but it was later announced that no attempt would be made to refloat the ship that day.[6][11] A salvage team from Smit International assessed the ship on 2 February,and a 400 metres (440 yd) exclusion zone was set up.[26][27] Liverpool Coastguards warned that refloating the ship would take another two or three days, depending on weather and tide conditions,[28] although another source stated the salvage operation could take weeks.[29] It was estimated that refloating would take place in the second week of February, but this later proved to be over optimistic.[30] The salvage team assembled the equipment needed for the operation to refloat the ship, including a rigid inflatable boat suitable for use in shallow water. They planned to reduce the list of the ship and pump out the fuel on board. The Riverdance was reported to be "intact".[31][32]

It was reported that salvage teams had made "good progress" on 4 February. A crane travelled from York on 5 February and lifted equipment onto the ship. The salvage team aimed to reduce the list of the ship and make it more stable.[33] On 4 February around fifty members of the public ignored the exclusion zone to get close access to the ship. Police and Coastguards admitted they were powerless to prevent the breach of the Government imposed exclusion zone and vowed to step up security to prevent a future recurrence of the incident.[34] The imposition of the exclusion zone on grounds of public safety was proved to be correct when several trucks fell off the ship on the afternoon of 5 February, caused by the ship moving at high tide.[35] The exclusion zone was enforced on 6 February, with police, coastguard and security patrols being used.[36] More of the ships cargo fell overboard on 6 February. It was reported on 7 February that the salvage operation was going well, and about half of the equipment required for the operation was then aboard.[37] On the 8 February, shackles holding the remaining trailers were released, allowing the vehicles on the top deck to fall overboard. The wreckage was cleared by a specialist demolition contractor.

The salvage team removed fuel from the ship. This was done by drilling a hole in the hull of the ship and pumping the fuel out. The process, known as "hot tapping" was expected to take up to a week.[38][39][40] A boom was placed around the ship, and defuelling commenced. 18 tonnes of fuel was removed on 11 February and a further 29 tonnes on 12 February.[41] Temporary repairs were made to the ships hull in preparation for refloating.[42] Sightseers continued to breach the exclusion zone, including two jet skiers who approached the ship from the sea.[43] The refloating of the ship was scheduled to take place sometime in the week commencing 18 February. Large crowds were expected to witness the event, which would have coincided with the half-term holiday.[17] It was later estimated that the ship would not be refloated for at least another two weeks. All fuel was removed from the tanks, and work was done to ensure the hull was watertight and also to reduce the list of the ship.[44] Over the weekend of 23/34 February, the ship settled further onto its side, listing at 85 degrees. Officials had to prevent people from trying to board the ship.[45] It was revealed that the operation to refloat the vessel could take weeks, although speculation that the ship would be cut up on site was refuted by Smit International, who said they only needed 8 metres (26 ft 3 in) of water to refloat the ship.[46][47] A 40 feet (12.19 m) diameter accommodation box fell from the ship sometime between the 24 and 27 February.[47]

It was reported that Smit International still intended to refloat to ship. There was a two week period ending 13 March in which to refloat the ship, with the actual refloating being most likely to take place towards the end of that period.[48] Efforts to salvage the ship were hampered by the weather and the position the ship was in.[49] The plan was to put the ship on an even keel on 13 March or 14 March, seven weeks after the ship grounded. however, storms with winds of 78 knots meant that plan was abandoned.[50] Refloating was expected to take place about a week after the ship was righted.[51]

[edit] Recovery attempts

A trench was dug in the sand alongside the ship, which had been made watertight. Four 20 tonne containers were placed on the port side of the ship, and water was to be pumped from the starboard to port tanks in an effort to right the ship. No date was set for the operation due to the strong winds at the time. Once the ship was righted it was then expected to take several weeks to refloat her.[52] Attempts to right the Riverdance were abandoned on 12 March after storms battered her with 78 knot winds, causing her to sink further into the sand and the list to increase to 100 degrees. The salvage plan was re-evaluated early in the week commencing 17 March.[50] Meanwhile, work continuee to reduce the threat of pollution from the vessel and clearing up any wreckage that was deposited from the vessel.[53] A meeting took place on 20 March between the salvors, insurers and owners of the ship to discuss options for salvaging the Riverdance. One option considered was the scrapping of the Riverdance on site.[54] On 21 March 2008 it was revealed that Riverdance had been declared a "constructive loss" due to further damage that had been inflicted by the storms earlier in the month. The preferred option was to refloat her, and remove her by sea, but she would be cut up on site if the refloating operation fails. The plan was to use mechanical winches to haul the vessel upright, rather than relying upon flotation devices.[55]

On 10 April 2008 it was announced that all attempts to refloat Riverdance had been abandoned and that she was to be scrapped in situ. The contract to dismantle the vessel was awarded to Hancock's Contractors, of Heysham.[56] The work is expected to take about twelve to fourteen weeks. One of the reasons for the decision was that Riverdance had suffered further structural damage during the storms on 12 March.[57] The damage to Riverdance included damaged propellors and engine, loss of a rudder, the bulwarks destroyed on her starboard side and a lifeboat destroyed.[58]

[edit] Scrapping

April 2008
April 2008

The scrapping of Riverdance will be carried out by Hancock's Contractors of Heysham. Initial preparation will be the removal of the remaining fuel, oil and cargo from the vessel.[56] Hancock's took control of the site on 14 April 2008. Contractors have inspected the Moondance, the sister ship of the Riverdance to get an idea of the general construction of the vessel. The first task will be to remove the remaining cargo from the vessel. Work will have to take place at low tide, which means that there will be night working, to the dismay of some local residents.[59] Work commenced in the week beginning 29 April 2008, with an estimate completion date of "the end of June".[60] By early May, the work was underway, with the removal of handrails and the funnel to enable easier access to the interior of the ship. The initial phase of the demolition is expected to take four or five weeks. [61] On 17 May 2008, a fire broke out on two lorries at about 4:20am. Thirty workers were evacuated from the vessel. The local fire brigade attended with five appliances and a mobile fire station, but withdrew shortly after due to the rising tide. the fire was left to burn itself out.[62][63] The work in connection with the scrapping of Riverdance resumed on the 19 May.[64]

[edit] Investigation

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has opened an enquiry into the incident, the results of which will be published in due course.[65]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Maritime Digital Encyclopedia. Maritime Digital Archive. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  2. ^ All times GMT
  3. ^ The Guardian page 3 dated 2nd February 2008 ISSN 0261-3077
  4. ^ Air rescue for ferry travellers. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  5. ^ a b c d Riverdance ferry drama: Timeline. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  6. ^ a b Operation to float stricken ferry. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  7. ^ a b LIVERPOOL COASTGUARD COORDINATE RESCUE OF PASSENGERS FROM LISTING VESSEL. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  8. ^ Ferry rescue man feared for life. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
  9. ^ a b c Royal Air Force wins Defence Helicopter SAR 2008 Award for Riverdance Ferry Rescue. Rotorhub.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-21.
  10. ^ Ferry runs aground at Blackpool. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  11. ^ a b Dramatic airlift from stricken ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  12. ^ "Shipwreck Gallery", Blackpool Gazette, 2008-02-25. Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
  13. ^ Then and Now: Under the Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
  14. ^ a b Desperate bid to stabilise stricken ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  15. ^ a b Riverdance passenger phones wife to say: "I'm going to die". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
  16. ^ Business booming as crowds flock in to see ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  17. ^ a b Last chance to see Riverdance. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  18. ^ Riverdance ferry: Easter attraction. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  19. ^ Riverdance visitors boost tourist office figures. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
  20. ^ Riverdance ferry 'making our lives hell'. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  21. ^ Shine wearing off Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  22. ^ Raspberry tribute to Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
  23. ^ Riverdance tourism lesson. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  24. ^ Rescue crews tell of sea horror. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  25. ^ Sea rescues amid stormy weather. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  26. ^ Salvage bids assessed amid storms. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  27. ^ SALVAGE MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR RIVERDANCE REMOVAL. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  28. ^ Bad weather hampers ferry salvage. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  29. ^ Stricken ferry could be stranded "for weeks". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  30. ^ Ferry sheds thousands of biscuits. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  31. ^ Ferry may be grounded for a week. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  32. ^ New attempts to stabilise ferry. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  33. ^ SALVAGE OF STRANDED RO-RO FERRY MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  34. ^ Sightseers risk lives walking under toppling ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
  35. ^ Trucks slip off stricken ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  36. ^ CRANE BEGINS LIFTING SALVAGE GEAR ONBOARD RIVERDANCE. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
  37. ^ Blackpool ferry: Oil spill fears. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
  38. ^ 'Stay off the beach' warning. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  39. ^ Riverdance: Salvage crews start drilling. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  40. ^ Oil removed from stricken ferry. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  41. ^ Riverdance: Sightseers kept away. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  42. ^ GOOD PROGRESS FOR RIVERDANCE SALVAGE. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  43. ^ Blackpool ferry: Lives at risk. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  44. ^ RIVERDANCE – UPDATE. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  45. ^ Gang try to board Riverdance. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  46. ^ Riverdance refloat will take weeks – if at all. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
  47. ^ a b Riverdance ferry 'can be righted'. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
  48. ^ Riverdance ferry will not be cut up - salvors. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  49. ^ Weather hampers Riverdance move. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
  50. ^ a b Float hopes for Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  51. ^ New date for Riverdance ferry refloat. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
  52. ^ Plan to lift Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  53. ^ NEW PLAN FOR RIVERDANCE REMOVAL TO BE PRESENTED NEXT WEEK. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  54. ^ Riverdance ferry: Crisis talks. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  55. ^ Riverdance will never sail again. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  56. ^ a b Final death knell for Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
  57. ^ RO-RO RIVERDANCE TO BE DISMANTLED ON SITE. Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  58. ^ SEATRUCK FERRIES. Mersey Shipping. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  59. ^ Dismantlers tackle stricken ferry. BBC News Online. Retrieved on 2008-04-21.
  60. ^ Riverdance ferry - gone by June. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  61. ^ Riverdance ferry: Cargo removed. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
  62. ^ Fire drama on Riverdance ferry. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  63. ^ Firefighters tackle Riverdance blaze. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  64. ^ Crew back on board Riverdance after blaze. Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  65. ^ Current investigations. Marine Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Seatruck ships
Present ships
MS Clipper Point (2008) · MS Celtic Star (1991)  · MS Challenge (1998)  · MS Merchant Brilliant (1979) · MS Moondance (1978) · MS Phocine (1985)
Future ships
MS Clipper Pace (2008) · MS Clipper Panorama (2008) · MS Clipper Pennant (2008)
Past ships
MS Brelo (1985)  · MS European Mariner (1978)  · MS Riverdance (1977)