FEARS were today raised oil could leak from the stricken ferry Riverdance and on to Blackpool beach.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed contingency plans were now being put in place in case of a spillage.
See our gallery of Riverdance pictures: Updated dailyMore of the ship's cargo fell on to the sands after yesterday's high tide.
It included one unit containing engine parts which caused a small quantity of oil to spill on to the beach at low tide.
The amount was "minimal" and is not said to pose any environmental hazard.
Mark Clark, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "If there is a loss of oil on to the beach, the MCA is currently working on contingency plans for this with the Environment Group including working with local contractors.
Riverdance archivesTrucks slip off stricken ferryBusiness booming as crowds flock in to see ferrySightseers risk lives walking under toppling ferryRiverdance passenger: "I'm going to die" Firms count cost of lost cargo"Three more units were lost from the vessel, one contained engine parts and some oil sheen came up on the beach."
The falling units also tore a "mushroom vent" off the ship's deck which now contains a large hole.
Water has got into the vessel, but this was today described as "not a major issue".
The ship has been listing at an angle of up to 80 degrees since it ran aground off the coast, just south of Cleveleys, last Thursday.
The 6,000-ton ferry was en route from Northern Ireland to Heysham when it was hit by a freak wave.
The 23 crew and passengers were airlifted to safety.
Efforts to refloat the vessel are well under way.
Salvage crews from Holland say half of the equipment they need is now on board the ship.
Clearing work is also continuing on the beach with fragments and shards of aluminium being removed from the sand.
Mr Clark again warned interested onlookers to stay outside of the 400-metre exclusion zone which surrounds the vessel for their own safety.
"Aluminium sheets and cuttings are currently being collected from the beaches and we'd like to emphasise how injurious these can be to the public," he said.
"We would like to remind people to stay outside the exclusion zone and away from the heavy machinery that is operating in the area around it. People can view the vessel by all means but please do it from the safety of the Promenade."
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