Beached: Amazing picture of the ferry that ran aground in Blackpool

Locals wandered in wonder round the ferry Riverdance, stranded on a beach in Lancashire, while others walked their dogs as usual or played football as if it didn't exist.

Trucks on the deck can be seen listing at a perilous angle, much of their cargo already spilled, and the onlookers underneath looked as if they might be in danger if anything else were suddenly to shift.

The serenity surrounding the ship belies the chaotic journey it has gone through in the past few days.

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Locals wander in wonder around the ferry Riverdance, stranded on a beach in Lancashire

It was hit by a freak wave in the Irish Sea on its journey from Northern Ireland to Heysham in Lancashire and tossed about as rescuers plucked passengers and crew members to safety in daring helicopter rescues.

Nine of the 19 crew members were still on board as the full force of the ocean pushed it on to the north shore of Blackpool beach.

One terrified trucker rang his wife from the deck of the stricken ferry and told her: "I am going to die."

The wife of Nigel Bucknall, 54, had to wait for more than an hour and a half before he rang back to say he had been plucked to safety. Mr Bucknall, of Doncaster, said:

"I took my phone out half a dozen times to phone my wife Mary. When I thought there was only ten minutes left, I phoned again to say that I loved her."

Several crewmen even sent "final" text messages to their loved ones because they feared they would not survive.

Salvage workers have been trying to find ways to move the ferry, but admit their operation would be stalled for another 48 hours.

Tony Redding, a spokesman for Seatruck Ferries, said: "The plan is to stabilise the vessel and create a safer working environment.

"It has around a 50-degree list and we will be trying to do something about that. More equipment to help is expected to leave Rotterdam today."

In the meantime, and as long as this calmer weather lasts, the residents of Blackpool have plenty to talk about as they go for a walk on the beach.