Concordia, follow the refloating operation

FLORENCE, ITALY – The Costa Concordia’s refloating operation can be divided into 4 separate stages.

Stage 1: Partial refloating and eastward movement of the wreck

At the start of the operation the wreck will be resting on the platforms and false sea bed at a depth of about 31 meters. On the first day, the hull will be refloated about 2 meters up off the platforms and moved with the assistance of tugs approximately 30 meters in an easterly direction. It is estimated that this initial stage may last around 6 to 8 hours, during which it will be advisable to suspend all other vessel movements in the local area. By the end of Stage 1 the ship will be safely moored by two series of anchors aft and 6 steel cables connected to towers no. 1, 9 and 12 (used previously for parbuckling) on the inshore side, and also kept in position by two tugs on the offshore side and a third located at the Concordia’s bow. 

Stage 2: Attachment and tensioning of the chains and cables and final positioning of the starboard sponsons

This stage will last about 2 days. It will involve attaching the last 4 chains and 7 cables to starboard sponsons S18, S12, S4 and tensioning chains in starboard sponsons S3, S4, S12, S14, S18. In addition, 13 of the total 15 starboard sponsons will be “lowered” to their final position, which was previously inaccessible due to interference from the sea bed.

Stage 3: Actual refloating

At this stage the actual refloating will commence. The salvage experts will gradually pump compressed air into the 30 sponsons, forcing the ballast water out. The caissons will be emptied step by step, raising the ship one deck at a time, starting from deck 6 to deck 3. The final refloating position will have been reached when deck 3 eventually resurfaces. Stage 3 is expected to take about 3 days; as the decks slowly emerge above sea level, they will be emptied of water and all the necessary checks will be carried out. In order to drain the water, the wreck will be refloated with a light inclination towards portside and stern. By the end of this stage, the hull will be emerged approximately 14 meters on the sea level compared with its starting position.

Stage 4: Final maneuvers and departure of the ship from the island

In Stage 4 the necessary checks and maneuvers will be performed allowing the convoy – the Concordia towed by the tugs – to proceed to the position of departure from Giglio Island, with the bow of the ship facing east. 2 tugs will be pulling from portside, 2 auxiliary tugs will be deployed at the stern, one on either side. During this stage, for approximately 4 hours, it will be necessary to restrict other port traffic in order to ensure that the convoy can leave the area in complete safety.

Tweets by @InfoParbuckling