Italy: Costa Concordia Parbuckling to Begin Next Week

The parbuckling process of Costa Concordia is likely to begin next week, if weather conditions remain favorable.

The vessel, lying on the seabed off the Tuscan island of Giglio, will be rotated onto the underwater platforms, after which the workers will search for bodies of two still missing people.

As Maritime Executive reports, divers have pumped 18,000 tonnes of cement into bags below the ship to support it and prevent it from breaking up during the rotation.

According to Titan Salvage representatives, the fishing nets will catch debris from the ship, and a buoyancy device will hold together the bow of the ship.

The salvage operation of Costa Concordia is expected to last 8-10 hours, with an estimated cost of $300 million.

After the salvage operation the vessel will be towed away to be dismantled.

[mappress]
Subsea World News Staff, September 13, 2013