Passengers on a Stena Line ferry from Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast endured a turbulent night on the Irish Sea, as Storm Isha forced the Stena Estrid to go circling for several hours amid the crashing waves.

Stena Estrid as of midnight Afloat tracked to the fringe of Belfast Lough, was originally due to have arrived in Belfast Harbour at 6.30pm on Sunday. The E-Flexer class ferry instead was held up in the North Channel, until it was safe to berth at the ferry terminal in the early hours of Monday morning.

Many passengers posted footage of “really bad” conditions they were surrounded by as the ferry (covering in for dry-docking while away from regular Dublin-Holyhead service) had rocked from the rough tides and high winds.

On board was passenger, John Billings (41) from Ballygowan who said that the conditions were the worst he had ever seen but praised the crew for their professionalism.

“The captain came on and made everyone aware, telling us it would be a bit sketchy and that we might not get into Belfast until the early hours of the morning. He kept us all in the loop,” he told The Irish News.

“The sea was like something you would see on TV, I’ve never seen it as bad as that.

“It’s the worst one I’ve been on in fairness. Everyone was definitely glad to get off. As I was sitting having my breakfast bap this morning there was definitely a few people walking around like they’d had a rough night.”

In response, a Stena Line spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Isha, Stena Estrid was delayed in its usual arrival time in Belfast last night. The team onboard closely monitored the weather and once it was safe to berth, the vessel arrived at the terminal at 4.35am.

“As a result, last night’s 22:30 departure of Stena Estrid to Liverpool was delayed until 08:05hrs this morning.”

Stena Estrid was again tracked by Afloat this morning, as the cruiseferry had departed the port and by around 09:15hrs was leaving Belfast Lough bound for Merseyside.

More here on road based weather conditions.

Storm Isha’s arrival has prompted road and carpark closures along the seafront in Galway’s Salthill, while sandbags have also been made available for vulnerable city areas.

Storm Isha is forecast to bring very strong southwest winds with severe and damaging gusts, large coastal waves with overtopping, fallen trees, damage to power lines and very difficult travelling conditions.

Galway City Council said that the road would be closed on Salthill’s seafront from the roundabout at Seapoint along Salthill promenade towards the city as far as Galway Business School from 8.30 am today, Sunday January 21st, “until further notice”.

It has also closed Toft and Salthill car parks, Silverstrand road and carpark off the Barna road, and it says there will only be local access permitted to Ballyloughane beach road at Renmore.

Sandbags were provided at the following locations last night:

• Tourist Kiosk, Salthill
• Claddagh Hall
• Fire Station, Fr Burke Road
• Spanish Arch
• Docks beside the Pedestrian Crossing (St Nicholas Street)

Galway City Council says its crews remain on standby, and the local co-ordination group is monitoring updates from Met Eireann.

It urges members of the public to check the Met Éireann website, Met.ie, for further updates in relation to this weather warning, which is Status Orange for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster, Connacht, and Status Red for Donegal.

Update at 10 am on Sunday, January 21:  Met Éireann has upgraded the wind warning for Galway and Mayo to Status Red from 1700 to 2100 hours today, Sunday, warning of dangerous coastal and treacherous travelling conditions.

As Ireland and the UK prepare for Storm Isha this weekend, the RNLI is asking those visiting the coast to be cautious of the dangers.

Met Éireann and the Met Office have issued weather warnings ahead of Storm Isha’s arrival this Sunday (21 January), bringing winds of up to 130kmh in some coastal areas, particularly along the west and north east coasts of England and Wales and in Northern Ireland.

A number of Irish sailing fixtures have already been cancelled, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The strong winds are expected to gradually ease throughout the day on Monday.

For those who plan to visit the coast this weekend, the strong gusts pose a significant risk to safety and the lifesaving charity is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

RNLI national water safety education partner Sam Johnson said: “The predicted weekend weather could lead to dangerous and uncertain conditions as strong winds hit the coasts across the UK and Ireland.

“If you plan on visiting the coast, the RNLI advise the public to stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.

“Cold water shock is a very real danger for anyone entering water that is 15C or below and at this time of year, we can expect temperatures of 6 to 10C. If you find yourself in trouble unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live: lie back in the water, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

“Remember, if you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard if by the coast, or just 999 if inland. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself — you may end up in difficulty too.”