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Removal hopes over stricken ferry Removal hopes over stricken ferry
(about 3 hours later)
Salvage teams are hoping to make significant progress to dismantle and remove the wreck of the Riverdance from off the Blackpool coast.Salvage teams are hoping to make significant progress to dismantle and remove the wreck of the Riverdance from off the Blackpool coast.
The ferry ran aground in January when it hit a freak wave as it headed from Northern Ireland to Heysham.The ferry ran aground in January when it hit a freak wave as it headed from Northern Ireland to Heysham.
The Spring tides will give salvagers longer to work on the vessel. The spring tides will give salvagers longer to work on the vessel.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: "Over the next few days the outline of the vessel to the observer ashore will change."A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: "Over the next few days the outline of the vessel to the observer ashore will change."
All cargo and trailers have now been removed from the Riverdance.All cargo and trailers have now been removed from the Riverdance.
Tourist attractionTourist attraction
"The spring tidal cycle progression over the next 10 days will allow lengthy periods of time to work on the vessel over the low water periods," the MCA spokesman said."The spring tidal cycle progression over the next 10 days will allow lengthy periods of time to work on the vessel over the low water periods," the MCA spokesman said.
"The stern section and the bow section along with the port side ballast tanks will start to disappear and reduce the overall outline of the Riverdance considerably.""The stern section and the bow section along with the port side ballast tanks will start to disappear and reduce the overall outline of the Riverdance considerably."
Work is continuing inside the vessel, to clean and clear the engine. Work is continuing inside the vessel to clean and clear the engine.
The vessel sunk into the sand after 23 people, including four passengers, onboard were rescued by the RAF. The vessel sank into the sand after 23 people, including four passengers, were rescued by the RAF.
Tourists flocked to the area for the sight of the sinking, tilted ship while the authorities tried to decide what to do with it. Tourists flocked to the area to see the sinking, tilted ship while the authorities tried to decide what to do with it.
Although it was initially hoped the ferry could be refloated, the decision was later taken to break it up.Although it was initially hoped the ferry could be refloated, the decision was later taken to break it up.