A visit to Blackpool's latest visitor attraction

hopper · 23rd March 2008, 23:55

We went to the West Coast today, Southport, St. Annes, Blackpool, Bispam, Clevelys and Fleetwood.

It was cold but stunning walking along the beaches and we visited Blackpool's (actually Clevelys but not everyone knows where that is) latest visitor attraction.

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The ferry, RiverDance ran aground earlier in they year in another bout of bad weather and so far all attempts to salvage or re-float it have failed. We were told today that they are prepared to give it one more go but I cant see it happening.

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It's lying facing into the sea, everytime the tide comes in it will be filled with even more sand, the coast here is very flat so that even at it highest tide the depth is very shallow.

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We will have to wait and see but its a very impressive sight all the same.

PS: These photos were taken around 6-6:30pm, it was a nice evening.

obs · 24th March 2008, 00:50

Such a shame, looks well cared for. Just another victim of the weather.

hopper · 24th March 2008, 01:08

We were told by one of the security guards (they cover the area during periods when the tide is out or turning to protect curious onlookers like myself from the dangers of the sea) that the boats insurance was around £1.5M and seeing as the damage done was estimated as over this value the vessel was a write-off.

I believe that whilst it may have been well looked after, the sea and the weather conditions coupled with the local shore difficulties mean that any salvage/removal operation will probably entail the vessel being broken on site and removed as scrap.

tenerifeslaps · 24th March 2008, 01:16

This looks very intresting and I bet back home it is a bit of an attraction. i bet they wish they could charge for a quick peek... I come from Blackpool but live over here now and hope that I will be able to get a peek next time I go back later in the year... you dont get many sights like that too often... hope it was worth a trip to my home town Hopper???

hopper · 24th March 2008, 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenerifeslaps

This looks very intresting and I bet back home it is a bit of an attraction. i bet they wish they could charge for a quick peek... I come from Blackpool but live over here now and hope that I will be able to get a peek next time I go back later in the year... you dont get many sights like that too often... hope it was worth a trip to my home town Hopper???

I think if its still there next August they will string some lights on it and extend the illuminations to cover it and add a donations box by it.

lundi2407 · 30th March 2008, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopper

I think if its still there next August they will string some lights on it and extend the illuminations to cover it and add a donations box by it.

Couldnt agree with you more on that Hopper...

I am from Blackpool myself but now live here... one thing to correct you on though... they switch the lightd on in September...

SuzyQ · 30th March 2008, 23:47

I just got back here from Fleetwood. We went to look at the Riverdance too, it certainly is a rare sight. My father in law was a fisherman for many years on the trawlers out of Fleetwood. He reckons it will definately be broken up and removed from the beach that way. It will be a shame when its gone, I wonder if they would leave it there if it wasnt a health and safety risk?

hopper · 31st March 2008, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzyQ

I just got back here from Fleetwood. We went to look at the Riverdance too, it certainly is a rare sight. My father in law was a fisherman for many years on the trawlers out of Fleetwood. He reckons it will definately be broken up and removed from the beach that way. It will be a shame when its gone, I wonder if they would leave it there if it wasnt a health and safety risk?

Apparently, the engines have been removed and the doors are to be welded shut. I would also have thought that all the fuel will have been removed.

I think they have to move it because the risk is people visiting it when the tide is turning and the risk of them being stranded or wanting to climb aboard and stay whilst the tide comes in. There are some very irresponsible people out there and the council have to 'cover their backs'.