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Salvaging the Costa Concordia Salvaging the Costa Concordia
(4 months later)
On Friday 13 January 2012, the huge vessel heeled over on to its side, with more than 4,000 people on board, just off the coast of the small Italian island of Giglio. Thirty-two passengers and crew members died in the accident, which unfolded just off the small island of Giglio on Italy's west coast on Friday 13 January 2012.
Thirty-two passengers and crew members died in the accident, which unfolded when Capt Francesco Schettino steered the ship too close to shore while trying to show it off to islanders, and hit a rock. Capt Francesco Schettino is believed to have steered the ship too close to shore while trying to show it off to islanders, and hit a rock.
Pockmarked with rust smears, its once bright paintwork bleached by the sun, the hulk of the Costa Concordia makes a forlorn spectacle. The huge vessel then partially capsized with more than 4,000 people on board.
Winter storms have battered its exposed flanks, making the work of the 400-strong salvage team even more difficult. Today, the Concordia's white bulk remains in place, pockmarked with rust smears, its once bright paintwork bleached by the sun.
It was originally planned that the vessel would be removed from Giglio by the spring of 2013. However, work is now expected to be complete "by the end of summer". Appendages, steel cables and anchor chains have been welded to the hull by the 400-strong salvage crew, who are working round the clock to remove the wreck.
Much of the work so far has been preparatory. The massive operation is being carried out by salvage companies Titan and Micoperi.
Appendages, steel cables and anchor chains have been welded to the hull by the salvage workers, who are working day and night to recover the 114,000-tonne metal bulk. One of the project directors, Franco Porcellacchia, told the BBC: "This is a very delicate and unusual operation. We have no reference here".
No operation on the scale of that to recover the Costa Concordia has ever been attempted. It is being carried out by salvage companies Titan and Micoperi, and will unfold in several stages.
The basic plan is to roll the ship upright and then refloat it using huge metal boxes, or caissons, welded to its sides.The basic plan is to roll the ship upright and then refloat it using huge metal boxes, or caissons, welded to its sides.
The vessel, which still contains tonnes of rotting food, furniture, bedding and passengers' belongings, will then be towed away intact to prevent damage to the environment. The latest phase of the operation has seen five huge metal platforms lowered to the sea bed to cradle the ship's 114,000 tonne bulk once rolled upright.
To prepare for the rollover operation, divers have attached heavy steel cables to anchor the ship and prevent it slipping into deeper water. Prior to this, the salvage team created a 'false sea bed' from bags containing special cement to strengthen the sea floor below the support platforms.
Large steel plates will be positioned beneath the hull as support to prevent it breaking up while the operation is under way. In December, the ship's funnel was removed to allow better access from the right hand side.
In December, the ship's funnel was removed to allow better access to the ship. During the early phases of the operation, there were fears that the wreck could slide into deeper water and sink completely, so divers have attached heavy steel anchor cables to stabilise it.
Project director Franco Porcellacchia told BBC News: "This is a very delicate and unusual project. We have no reference here. The rollover operation itself - known as parbuckling - is expected to take at least two days, as it must be done painstakingly slowly to prevent further damage to the weakened hull.
"At the moment, we are working on the preparation of the seabed so that the ship rotates properly. We're using grout bags containing sand and cement to make an artificial seabed." The vessel still contains tonnes of rotting food, furniture, bedding and passengers' belongings, and Franco Porcellacchia told the BBC that the risk of environmental contamination was a big concern.
With the ship stabilised, the rollover is expected to take two days, as it must be done painstakingly slowly to prevent further damage to the weakened hull. "Salvage teams do not have access to the inside, but we are working to prevent any substance from inside leaking.
A series of steel platforms is being positioned underneath to cradle the ship when it returns to its upright position. "So far we have recorded no pollution and the situation is being constantly monitored by the authorities."
Once upright, more caissons will be attached to the side that had been submerged, and the water in them will then be replaced with air to give buoyancy and allow the wreck to be towed away. Once rolled upright, more caissons will be attached to the side that had been submerged.
The water in all the caissons will then be replaced with air to give buoyancy and allow the wreck to be towed away.
With the ship considered beyond economic repair, its final destination is expected to be a dry dock in Sicily, where it will be cut up.With the ship considered beyond economic repair, its final destination is expected to be a dry dock in Sicily, where it will be cut up.
Franco Porcellacchia told the BBC that environmental risks were key concerns.
"Salvage teams do not have access to the inside, but we are working to prevent any substance from inside leaking. So far we have recorded no pollution and the situation is being constantly monitored by the authorities.
"The salvage is a joint venture [between Titan and Micoperi], but that contract is terminated when the ship is raised," Mr Porcellacchia said."The salvage is a joint venture [between Titan and Micoperi], but that contract is terminated when the ship is raised," Mr Porcellacchia said.
"Dismantling it is another ball game"."Dismantling it is another ball game".