A winter storm had pushed the ro-ro ship to shallows by a huge wave with 24 crew and passengers on board and tons of cargo.
An incredible rescue operation swung into action involving three helicopters, two lifeboats and an army of emergency workers, who worked tirelessly to bring the people on board safely to shore.
And miraculously, they did, in treacherous conditions.
The crew declared a mayday on January 31 2008, while sailing the vessel from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to Heysham. It was a dramatic sight. A sight which saw 100,000 tourists flock to the promenade to catch a glimpse of the stricken vessel. It was grounded for the best part of a year until it was broken into pieces by salvagers. These photos, many unseen since the story unfolded, capture the scenes and the aftermath.
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1. Remembering Riverdance
This picture montage shows the Riverdance photographed in the shadows of the Blackpool coastline, some of the thousands of people who visited Cleveleys to see the stricken ship and packets of chocolate biscuits washed ashore with other lost cargo Photo: National World
2. Remembering Riverdance
This was possibly one of the first photos taken as the vessel began to lose control. Waves pounded it towards the sandbanks Photo: Bill Johnson
3. Remembering Riverdance
Daylight breaks on February 1 2008 revealing the full scale of the incident Photo: Christopher Furlong
4. Remembering Riverdance
Coastguards at the scene Photo: Christopher Furlong
5. Remembering Riverdance
RAF Rescue helicopter code name rescue 121 landing at Blackpool airport with the first of 24 casualties who were safely airlifted to shore Photo: PA
6. Remembering Riverdance
A still image taken from a video during the rescue operation. Terrified passengers wait to be air-lifted to safety Photo: submit