Italian authorities have requested Smit to take some extra precautions before starting removing the oils from the Costa Concordia. Over the weekend, a full bathometry survey was initiated as well. Based on current insights, oil removal activities will be permitted to commence once these precautionary measures have been put in place.
The outcome of the bathometry survey will provide further insight into the seabed below the ship and the rock formations against which the ship is resting. The additional requirements of Italian authorities are:
– the planned single oil containment boom around the ship must be a double boom. In the event of an oil spill emerging from the ship, a containment boom is a temporary floating barrier used to contain the spill. Booms are commonly used to reduce the possibility of polluting shorelines and to help make oil recovery easier. Booms help to concentrate oil in thicker surface layers so that skimmers, vacuums, or other collection methods can be used more effectively. The additional oil booms have been mobilised and upon arrival will need to be positioned and fixed down.
– to position an emergency response oil removal vessel on site. For this purpose, SMIT has mobilized an oil tanker with emergency response equipment including sweeping arms, booms and a skimmer. This vessel arrived today.
Team and Equipment Preparing at Island of Giglio
Currently, a team of approximately 35 employees of Smit and local partner Tito Neri is preparing to remove the oils on the Island of Giglio. Equipment to remove the fuel include a crane-/work barge with pumps, hoses, air diving equipment and steam/heating plant onboard have been mobilised to the island and are ready to start the work.
