Massive maritime salvage begins to re-float Costa Concordia
- 10 years ago
Italians living on the island of Giglio gathered to remember the 32 victims of the Costa Concordia tragedy on the eve of the final phase of a salvage operation.
Locals plus maritime engineers and government officials took a moment to reflect on the evening of January 13, 2012 when the giant liner ran aground.
Since then the wreck of the vessel has been resting on a specially constructed platform ahead of the next stage which involves it being towed to Genoa.
“I think this operation does not end here, it does not end when the wreck of the Concordia reaches the port of Genoa. The most important goal for us is to protect the environment,” said Italian Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti.
The process involves air being pumped into 30 giant box-like compartments that have been welded to the Costa Concordia’s hull, forcing out sea water and raising the vessel by around 13 metres.
Engineers say the first few hours of the re-float are the most critical in what is the largest maritime salvage in history.
Weather allowing the operation should take five or six days after which the liner, which is more than twice the size of the Titanic, will be towed away from Giglio.
Locals plus maritime engineers and government officials took a moment to reflect on the evening of January 13, 2012 when the giant liner ran aground.
Since then the wreck of the vessel has been resting on a specially constructed platform ahead of the next stage which involves it being towed to Genoa.
“I think this operation does not end here, it does not end when the wreck of the Concordia reaches the port of Genoa. The most important goal for us is to protect the environment,” said Italian Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti.
The process involves air being pumped into 30 giant box-like compartments that have been welded to the Costa Concordia’s hull, forcing out sea water and raising the vessel by around 13 metres.
Engineers say the first few hours of the re-float are the most critical in what is the largest maritime salvage in history.
Weather allowing the operation should take five or six days after which the liner, which is more than twice the size of the Titanic, will be towed away from Giglio.