Latest update on the salvage operations
Costa Concordia salvage operations have been scheduled to begin today. Bad weather has delayed an attempt to pull the ship from the sea. According to latest updates from the official website on Costa Concordia removal project, the starting of parbuckling operations initially planned at 6.15, has been rescheduled for about two hours (tbc) due to the strong thunder storms last night on the island. The storms had in fact prevented the positioning of the barge on which the control room is installed and other operative units.
The salvage Master Nick Sloane and the technicians of the operations team are embarking to reach the control room. In the meantime the operations for the positioning of the operating units are still ongoing. The connections with the control room have been activated and systems testing is proceeding.
Once this operation is completed, the parbuckling can begin. There are no technical problems.
Stay tuned to Costa Concordia removal updates athttp://www.theparbucklingproject.com or follow @InfoParbuckling on Twitter
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The Parbuckling Project consists of five phases
Costa Concordia salvage project – Click on the image to enlarge (Image Source: The Parbuckling Project) 1. Stabilisation The first phase involves the anchoring and stabilisation of the wreck to prevent any slipping or sinking along the steep seabed. This makes it possible to work safely even in bad weather. 2. Installation of submarine supports and portside caissonsSecond stage involves the preparation of the false bottom on which the wreck will rest after rotation. 3. Parbuckling The parbuckling or rotation will take about a couple of days, as the movement has to be extremely delicate and constantly monitored. The parbuckling will be performed using strand jacks which will be tightening several cables attached to the top of the caissons and to the platforms, which will be pulled seawards, while the cables attached to the starboard turrets will be used for balancing. This is a very delicate phase, during which the forces involved have to be offset carefully to rotate the wreck without deforming the hull. 4. Installation of caissons on starboard side then other 15 refloating sponsons will be attached to the starboard side of the wreck. These caissons will be used during the subsequent re-floating stage. 5. Re-floating At this point the hull is resting on the false bottom at a depth of about 30 m. A pneumatic system will be used to empty the water gradually from the caissons on both sides of the wreck, giving the sufficient shove to push it upwards. On completion of the emptying process, a section of about 18 m will remain submerged. |
Learn more information in the Safety4Sea articles
- Costa Concordia: Parbuckling Phase Update
- Costa Concordia wreck set to be righted next week
- Costa Concordia Parbuckling to get Italy’s go-ahead
