(With extra pictures and videos) This morning, 14 July, the salvage team started the Costa Concordia refloating operations.
During the first stage, the Concordia will be refloated about 2 metres up off the platforms and moved 30 metres towards the east with the assistance of tugs. The ship will then be securely moored and technicians will be able to complete the attachment and tensioning of the last cables and chains, and to lower the starboard sponsons to their final position.
The actual refloating will then begin, raising the ship one deck at a time, from deck 6 to deck 3, by pumping air into the sponsons. The whole operation is expected to take about six or seven days to complete. The departure of the Costa Concordia from Giglio is currently scheduled for 21 July.
Dockwise Vanguard Cancelled
Although there were plans to use the Dockwise Vanguard to transport the wreck to a shipyard in France or Turkey, it has now been decided the ship will be towed to an Italian shipyard in Genoa (370 kilometres from Giglio Island). This was the Italian Minister of Transport's express wish as it would create extra employment in the area. The tow can now be conducted using just tugs, therefore cancelling the contract for the Dockwise Vanguard.
Still the lack of the right infrastructure in Italy, such as a long enough dock and deep enough water, will mean extra work and costs for the demolition of the vessel. So far, salvage works have cost over 1.1 billion euros and demolition of the Costa Concordia is expected to add at least another 100 million.
Below an overview of the five steps of refloating the Costa Concordia. Please click the pop-out link (the little squares at the bottom right) to view the images in their proper dimensions. All images by The parbuckling project.
In addition, a video by Euronews showing the start of operations as well as an animated version of the refloating process.
Update
The final phase of the lightening of the wreck has begun. This morning less than 1000 tonnes of weight was still resting on the constructed platform out of the initial 30,000 tonnes; as soon as this step is completed, the wreck can be lifted off the platforms. In a first stage, this will happen in the stern area.
Update 2
The Costa Concordia’s stern and bow are now detached from the false sea bed by about 1 metre. The wreck is floating thanks to the sponsons. Before being towed 30 metres east, the Costa Concordia will need to be refloated another metre. Technicians have now begun to tighten the chains on starboard sponson S14, as planned.
