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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7. Remembering Riverdance
Police sealed off the promenade as the drama unfolded Photo: Bill Johnson
8. Remembering Riverdance
Waves envelop the ferry as it lies stranded on the sandbanks Photo: Paul Ellis
9. Remembering Riverdance
A Royal Air Force helicopter winches a man onto the deck of the Riverdance Photo: Iain Lynn
10. Remembering Riverdance
A sea rescue helicopter lowering salvage experts onto the stricken ferry at low tide Photo: Rob Lock
11. Remembering Riverdance
Crew members of an RAF Rescue Helicopter arrive at Blackpool Airport to help in the mission. L-R are Flight Lt Lee Turner, Flight Lt Giles Radcliffe and Master Aircrew Officer Richard Taylor who was the winchman lowered onto the vessel to rescue crew and passengers Photo: Mark Pearson
12. Remembering Riverdance
Thousands of packets of McVitie's Chocolate Digestives were some of the of the washed up cargo from the ship Photo: Peter Byrne