Hi All
I see that an announcement has been made that the stricken Riverdance will now be demolished on the beach - this piece from the BBC Web Site:
Stricken ferry to be dismantled
A ferry stranded off the Blackpool coast is to be dismantled on the beach, officials have decided.
Riverdance ran aground off the Lancashire coast in January after being hit by a freak wave as it sailed from Northern Ireland to Heysham.
After several failed efforts to refloat the vessel by owners, Seatruck Ferries, the firm said it will never sail again.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has now said that the ferry will be dismantled and the parts recycled.
The process is expected to take between 12 and 14 weeks.
A total of 23 people were airlifted to safety - 19 crew and four passengers when the 6,000-ton vessel ran aground.
It has since become a popular tourist attraction as people from across the UK visit Blackpool to see the ferry, which is stuck fast on its side.
It is estimated that about 4m (4.4yards) of the ferry's wheelhouse is under the sand.
The vessel will now be stripped down internally until only the shell remains.
The hull will then be cut into manageable pieces and transported for recycling, the MCA said.
Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), said the operation would cause "minimum disruption" in the area.
The original plan to refloat the Riverdance was abandoned after it was battered by storms last month, causing it to list further and sink deeper into the sand.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/7340904.stmThe UK Maritime and Coatguard Agency (MCA) Press Release is:
Press Notice No: 096-08
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Posted 13:36 GMT
RO-RO RIVERDANCE TO BE DISMANTLED ON SITE
After a lengthy evaluation process, the owner of the Riverdance ferry, now lying on Blackpool beach, has produced plans to dismantle the ship in situ on the grounds that this represents the best option available in the interests of safety and protecting the environment.
Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of States Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), has been involved throughout and has informed the owner that he has no objection to the plans.
Weather permitting, it is estimated that the project will take approximately 12-14 weeks.
Options examined ranged from righting the vessel (known as par-buckling), cutting up in situ or a combination of both. The preferred method will involve cargo, trailer and machinery removal, including any debris and any pollutants, whilst maintaining the integrity of the hull. The vessel will be stripped down internally until only the shell remains. The hull will then be cut into manageable pieces and transported for recycling.
The Environment Group have been advised as well as Defra, the Environment Agency, the Marine and Fisheries Agency and Natural England. All parties (including Defra, the Environment Agency, the Environment Group, the Marine and Fisheries Agency and Natural England) recognise that, due to the uncertainty and technical difficulties of righting the vessel, cutting up in situ is now the best option.
Until the new contract for demolition is awarded, SMIT Salvage remain on contract to carry out caretaking duties only.
Hugh Shaw said
I look forward to being able to brief officers and elected members of the local authorities to explain how and why the forthcoming works will be carried out. I also look forward to working closely with all interested organisations such as the police and local transport services to ensure that minimum disruption is caused to residents and local people.
The original plan to reduce the list using tidal and internal buoyancy was abandoned due to the additional structural damage sustained during storms on 12 March. The vessel remains lying on the beach with a list of 100 + degrees. In addition the vessel continues to sink deeper into the sand. It is estimated that at least 4 metres of the bridge / wheelhouse is now under the sand.
On Thursday 31 January 2008, the vessels crew, on passage from Warren Point to Heysham, reported that she had developed a 40 degree list and was drifting towards the Lancashire coast. The vessel subsequently grounded at Cleveleys Beach, North Shore, Blackpool.
Regards