Blackpool beach gained a startling new attraction when the cargo ferry Riverdance developed a list and started to drift. All-weather lifeboats from Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes were launched on 31 January in force 10 winds, arriving on scene at 9.30pm, along with rescue helicopters. The lifeboats’ searchlights illuminated the scene and 14 people were winched to safety before the ferry grounded. Lytham’s lifeboat then took refuge at Fleetwood due to the wild conditions. Fleetwood’s lifeboat was relaunched at 5am, when the remaining Riverdance crew issued a Mayday, and stood by during the second helicopter sortie.