Cruise Ship Costa Concordia - MERGED THREADS

[hellosailor]

"First of all: there wouldn't be a 2nd time. The only time is the first."
Exactly. Which is why the first time has to work. If it fails, the ship probably slides down the mountain, and tears apart on the way, making the job impossible. Although, there have been 'salvage' efforts going back into Greek times, with men in early diving bells, that recovered large amounts of treasure/cargo from wrecks that were considered inaccessible in their time. I'm fuzzy on the details but remember seeing the ink drawings in the accounts.
The pilings, the pontoons, all seem like reasonable low-tech ways to ensure that the first time works. Other than worrying about the ship breaking up, I don't see any reason why "fast" would be a criteria on this job. Or that any other salvors would have been more qualified to bid on it.
Wouldn't it be fun, if you were there in time to watch it being rolled?

[Sailor g]

That would be an amazing sight to see her roll back up. Just seeing the simulation was incredible-to think of the difficulty in the job.

I'm sure the men in the diving bells had less pressure (except from the water) to get it right. They could make up some isn't sea monster stealing the treasure. Today, there will be cameras above & below water marking every move. And in the marine reserve-the pressure is intense to get it perfect!! Who knows-they might arrest the salvage operators if they mess it up. I would go slow too!!

[St. Elsewhere]

If I understand the plan, they will install the sponsons on the port side prior to rolling it upright. That implies that there will be a very critical process of managing sponson buoyancy as it is rolled so that it will rest on the support beams without excess forces at any of the several supports.

[St. Elsewhere]

Here is an Update on the Costa Concordia removal . . . .

Name: COSTA CONCORDIA Costa Concordia - Type of ship: Passenger ship - Callsign: IBHD - vesseltracker.com
IMO: 9320544
Time: 11-02-2013 10:12:03 UTC

NEWS:
Salvage and Micoperi on Feb 9 informed that salvage operations have continued without delays, and the first two underwater platforms needed for support when the big ship is pulled upright would be be in place in week 7.
The remaining large platforms have been built and are awaiting transport to Giglio. A community meeting involving leaders of Costa Cruises, researchers from the University La Sapienza of Rome, and experts from Titan and Micoperi addressed progress to date and also the condition of water inside the ship. More than 5,000 analyses have been conducted on that water. The alterations observed, due to the degradation of food, furniture and equipment, and the presence of hydrocarbons, are concentrated in specific compartments of the wreck. Some of that water will be released into the sea when the ship is turned. Monitoring will continue, and by the end of February, the partners will have completed a simulation model predicting how much, so steps can be taken if necessary to minimize negative impacts on the marine environment. Sampling of water outside the ship still shows no negative impacts.

[MacG]

Positive news. Curious what they might do with the ship after salvage. Might depend on condition. Scrapping, however might be the best option.

[St. Elsewhere]

A progress update . . . .

Name: COSTA CONCORDIA Costa Concordia - Type of ship: Passenger ship - Callsign: IBHD - vesseltracker.com
IMO: 9320544
Time: 08-03-2013 20:25:55 UTC

NEWS:
Italy's caretaker government on Mar 8 has authorized authorities to move the "Costa Concordia" to the nearest port, which is Piombino in Tuscany, to be scrapped. Tuscan President Enrico Rossi welcomed the decision, saying Piombino is the most economical and environmentally sound choice because of its proximity. A centre-left lawmaker said the choice could delay the removal of the wreck until next year because of needed port upgrades. Italy's civil protection agency is looking at September as the likely date to move the wreck.

[gpshephe]

What's everyone's guess on ( if she can be refloated ) what the final outcome will be.

1. Refit and resail
2. Scrap
3. A floating hotel

Also, who's paying for the salvage? Costa, Carnival, Insurance Co., Italy, the salvage co.? Some or all? Anyone know chime in.

[senormechanico]

I vote scrap, showing up on the world marketplace as useless Chinese crap on eBay.

[Richard_W]

+ 1 ... scrap for crap

[Lagoon4us]

Scrap, not so sure the history, loss of life would be a plus in future marketing of the vessel.

Would be cheaper to build new.

The collective insurers would be paying, paying and paying. Italy is broke they would call it a dive-site and abandon if it came down to the country paying.

No doubt a few people have lost a lot of earnings this year and the actuaries will notch up the premiums worldwide .005% to cover.

[markpierce]

Wow! Over 1200 posts about a single cruise ship. Don't cruise ships deserve their own sub-forum?

[Lagoon4us]

Only if they are sub-sea...

[Sailor g]

I think they should clean it up and open it as a museum to ego and bad judgement. Think of all the displays from all over the world that could be included! The Titanic for the iceberg... The list would be endless! The captain of this ship would have his name on the main hall though.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Sailor g

I think they should clean it up and open it as a museum to ego and bad judgement. Think of all the displays from all over the world that could be included! The Titanic for the iceberg... The list would be endless! The captain of this ship would have his name on the main hall though.

The ship is big enough that you could include a few weekend boaters too.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by MacG

These monsters are a screaming nightmare in case of any serious accident.
No free deckspace to speak of, everything sheltered and becomes a deathtrap.
This accident happened under moderate circumstances, help and hospitals very near - the detroit between the peninsula Porto Santo di Stefano and Giglio is about 12 nm.
The sea around the island Giglio is reasonably deep, so the navigator pressed his luck and had obviously no situational awareness of any sort.

These boats are no more than floating hotels with a minimum of attention to all over safety. These boats are no regular ships with good maneuvering capacities and are in windy conditions monsters to handle. Particularly at very low speeds.

This is just not a repetition of the Titanic drama but could have been in a bad weather situation. Alarming is the relative instability of the vessel in case of loadshifts.

Wasn't it just a few years ago, that one got loose somewhere in the VI's and took out a bunch of anchored sailboats when it came throught the anchorage sideways in a big wind?