Costa Concordia refloating operations begin
The wreck floats for first time in two years Two and a half years after the Costa Concordia capsized off the island of Giglio the Concordia refloating operations have started regularly. The Concordia wreck will be refloated of about 2 meters and then towed 30 meters to the East.Updates:At 6.00 am the Senior Salvage Master, Nick Sloane, reached the Remote Operations Center located on the Concordia with the rest of the team.With the arrival of the ferry at 8.30 am the final phase of the lightening of the wreck has begun. Only less then 1,000 tonnes of weight remain, 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.At 12.00 the Concordias stern and bow were detached from the false sea bed by about 1 meter. The wreck is floating thanks to the sponsons. Before being towed 30 meters East, the Concordia will need to be refloated of another meter. Technicians have now begun to tighten the chains on starboard sponson S14, as planned.Refloating operation planDuring the first stage, the Concordia will be refloated about 2 meters up ...
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