First phase of the operations ends
The first day of the refloating operation of the Concordia has concluded successfully.
Confirming technician’s estimations, the wreck is now afloat thanks to the buoyancy given by sponsons, 2 2 meters off the false sea bed, and it has been towed for about 30 meters eastwards.The wreck is securely moored and therefore the first phase of the refloating operations has now ended.
Around and under the Concordia operations are still on going to connect some chains and cables to the sponsons.
The second phase 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.
| Refloating operation plan |
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During the first stage, the Concordia will be refloated about 2 meters up off the platforms and moved 30 meters 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. The whole operation is expected to take about 6 or 7 days to complete. The departure of the Concordia from Giglio is currently scheduled for July 21. |
Source and Image Credit: www.theparbucklingproject.com
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Further information on the refloating operation may be found by reading the following articles: |
