Huge salvage operation for stricken liner Costa Concordia

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Huge salvage operation for stricken liner Costa Concordia

 

 

Roll over: a bird's eye view shows the Costa Concordia as it lies on its side

       

Published: 13 September 2013

Updated: 12:42, 13 September 2013

 

Engineers are mounting a huge operation to salvage stricken cruise liner the Costa Concordia.

The 114,500-ton liner capsized off the Italian island of Giglio while carrying 4,229 passengers in January last year, killing 32 passengers.

 

 

Resting: The ship is lying on a rock shelf below the ocean and risks plummeting into deeper sea if left for too long

The stricken ship has been lying on its side since then, resting on an underwater shelf. Engineers are preparing to raise the ship in an

'unprecedented' salvage operation.

 

500 engineers from 21 different countries will take part.

 

 

Salvage: An aerial view shows the Costa Concordia as it lies on its side next to Giglio Island Nick Sloane,

the chief salvage operator of the salvage said: "The size of the ship and its location make this the most challenging operation

I've ever been involved in."

 

There are fears the Concordia could leak large amounts of chemicals when it is repositioned and there is still a chance the ship's hull could split.

 

 

Preperation: 500 engineers from 21 different countries are helping to float the ship Franco Gabrielli,

the man charged with heading the operation, claims a salvage of this size has never been attempted before.

Work to move the ship will begin on September 16, weather permitting.

Edited September 14, 2013 by Tech 425