VIDEO: Costa Concordia under Tow

The final voyage of the ill-fated wreck of Costa Concordia has kicked off and the wreck is being moved at the walking speed toward its final destination, scrapping yard in Genoa.

 
The project is the largest and one of the most technically complex maritime salvage jobs ever done.

The slow and precise tow of the disabled cruise ship is being made by a convoy comprised of at up to a dozen other vessels. There are two tugs, with a combined 24,000 horsepower and 275 tons of bollard pull, at the ship’s bow towing the hull.

Another two auxiliary tugs are positioned aft. The other vessels in the convoy, including a pontoon with a 200-tonne crane, are carrying personnel and equipment. Take a look at how it all looks at sea:

The convoy is anticipated to arrive in Genoa on Saturday, July 26, about mid-day pending favorable weather and vessel traffic in the area, according to the salvage team.

TITAN Salvage’s Nick Sloane, senior salvage master, and Rich Habib, salvage director, are onboard the Costa to provide around-the-clock, hands-on monitoring of the vessel’s list, ballasting, speed and more.

The sailing route will take the vessels south between the island of Giglio and Giannutri before heading west-southwest to a point south of the island of Montecristo. The convoy will then head west-northwest to a position south of the island called Scoglio d’Africa before crossing the Ligurian Sea to the Port of Genoa Voltri.

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World Maritime News Staff, July 24, 2014