SALVAGE experts were today racing against time to save a ferry stranded off Blackpool beach - amid fears it could leak fuel into the sea.

Salvage experts are now on their way from the Continent and will try to get aboard the stricken vessel later today to plan a rescue operation.

It is hoped that high tide, due at 6pm today, will help lift the ferry clear of the sand and right it.

The vessel still has 100 tonnes of bunker fuel, a kind of heavy oil, for its main engine and 50 tonnes of gas oil, similar to diesel, on board.

It was carrying 50 trucks and trailers from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire when it ran into difficulty.

Lifeboat and RAF helicopter crews were hailed heroes today for rescuing 23 people from a stricken ferry which ran aground in `horrendous' weather.

A huge wave smashed into the Riverdance as it crossed the Irish Sea at about 7.30pm last night, causing it to begin violently listing at an angle of 60 degrees off the Lancashire coast.

Helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and Irish Coastguard battled mountainous seas and 60mph winds to rescue the four passengers and 19 on board.

All but nine essential crew members of the roll-on roll-off ferry had been winched to safety when the vessel ran aground off the north shore at Cleveleys, just north of Blackpool, at about 5am.

The captain then made the decision to evacuate those remaining on board.

Now the race against time begins to get the Riverdance to dock amid concerns it could leak fuel into the Irish sea if it is further battered by the elements.

Bravery

The coastgaurd praised the rescuers bravery and success in the `worst weather of the winter' as `testament to their training and experience'.

The drama began when a massive wave shifted some of the ship's cargo of 50 lorries which caused it to list last night.

A major rescue operation was launched at about 7.30pm yesterday when the vessel issued a Mayday call from eight miles off the Lancashire.

A Sea King helicopter from the RAF Valley search and rescue base was first on the scene, supported by helicopters from the Royal Naval Air Station at Prestwick, and an Irish Coastguard machine from Dublin.

Lifeboats from Lytham and Fleetwood were dispatched and a tanker, The Steersman, was standing by in case it was needed.

As boats headed out to sea helicopters began heading to and from the ship winching the first of the passengers and crew to safety two by two.

John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, today praised the ferry's crew and those involved in the rescue mission.

He said: "We had winds of up to 60mph which meant making contact with the vessel was very difficult.

"If a vessel like that lists by 10 degrees it is bad. The Riverdance was listing by 60 degrees but everybody was very calm and professional.

"We get conditions like this maybe twice or three times a year and we just cross our fingers that everybody stays safe. This is the worst weather we have had this winter. The conditions were terrible."

He added: "I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.

"Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was."

Davy Thompson, area operations manager for the Coastguard and Maritime Agency also paid tribute to the RAF and navy helicopter pilots.

He said: "Quite clearly when they are flying aircraft in those conditions there's always a potential for accidents or injuries. It is a testament to their training and experience.

"The captain and crew endeavoured to reduce the list and they were able to reduce it to about 35 degrees. But as you can imagine the fuel and the oil in the tanks went to one side and the engines shut down.

"We called in two helicopters from the RAF and Navy who airlifted them to Blackpool airport and from there they've been taken to a hotel. There were a couple of minor bumps as you can imagine with the vessel listing so quickly but apart from being shocked they were in good health.

Extreme

"It must have been horrendous for the crew in those conditions of extreme cold and high winds. I'm sure they were very very concerned.

"It is a testament to the training of the crew of the vessel and the air crews who rescued the crew that they were able to get lifted off safely. The rescue by the air crews could only be described as extraordinary in 55-60 knot winds."

Rich Taylor, one of the RAF winchmen involved in the operation, said the conditions had made dropping a line to the vessel very difficult.

He said: "I have been in some big seas out in the Atlantic, but never any that have been this hairy. I'm only doing a job, but it's the best job in the world.

"It took some time to get the first rope down to the boat. Unfortunately, we then lost contact with that rope just through the boat moving away from us in the big swirl.

"So we had another bash at it and managed to get another rope down."

This morning as the tide went out the ship appeared to stabilise after running aground.

Salvage experts are now on their way from the continent to see whether it will be possible to attach tow lines when the tide begins to rise again and pull the vessel clear of the sand and tow it to a place where it can be unloaded safely.

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of the vessel's operator, Seatruck Ferries, said all passengers and crew were safe. He said two had been taken to hospital after suffering minor injuries but had since been discharged.

"The crew were fantastic, they took control of the situation. The captain took the initial decision to take the four passengers off and remain on board with only essential crew. They stabilised the vessel.

"Unfortunately, as the early hours and beyond went on, the weather continued to deteriorate, and the captain decided to abandon ship."

The Coastguard is now monitoring the Bahamas-registered Riverdance, which was built in 1977, for any oil spills.

The vessel still has 100 tonnes of bunker fuel, a kind of heavy engine oil and 50 tonnes of gas oil, similar to diesel, on board. It has no hazardous cargo.

The ferry was travelling from Warrenpoint, in Northern Ireland, to the port of Heysham, in Lancashire, when it ran into difficulty.

The four passengers on board were a married couple and their teenage son, and a lorry driver.

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