1.   He said the jet and helicopters had been in positions to evacuate the ferry and carry its passengers to nearby oil rigs.

2.   Rescue ships and helicopters at one point were considering evacuating the ferry, but soon decided it could safely ride out the storm.

3.   The coast guard said British and Norwegian rescue helicopters were prepared to evacuate the ferry and carry its passengers to nearby oil platforms.

4.   The Coast Guard said the rescue helicopters had been prepared to evacuate the ferry and carry its passengers to nearby oil rigs.

5.   The captain ordered passengers into liferafts, and it took an hour to evacuate the ferry.

6.   The Coast Guard said the helicopters had been prepared to evacuate the ferry and carry its passengers to nearby oil rigs.

7.   The RAF spokesman said the Nimrod and the helicopters had been in positions to evacuate the ferry and carry its passengers to nearby oil rigs.

8.   The RAF spokesman said the jet and helicopters had been in positions to evacuate the ferry and carry its passengers to nearby oil rigs.

9.   Divers have been sent down to investigate the damage to the vessel, after which officials will decide whether to evacuate the ferry.