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Costa Concordia engineers exhausted and relieved after successful salvage Costa Concordia engineers exhausted and relieved after successful salvage
(about 4 hours later)
Exhausted but relieved, the engineers in charge of the marathon parbuckling of the Costa Concordia said they had "kept [their] promise" of a safe and successful operation, hours after bringing the wrecked cruise ship upright for the first time since its catastrophic crash against the rocks of Giglio island last year.Exhausted but relieved, the engineers in charge of the marathon parbuckling of the Costa Concordia said they had "kept [their] promise" of a safe and successful operation, hours after bringing the wrecked cruise ship upright for the first time since its catastrophic crash against the rocks of Giglio island last year.
"We are very satisfied with how things went," said Franco Gabrielli, the head of the Italian civil protection agency, who was applauded once again by local people who had gathered in the port since news of the long-awaited success was confirmed – by press briefing and foghorn – shortly after 4am on Tuesday."We are very satisfied with how things went," said Franco Gabrielli, the head of the Italian civil protection agency, who was applauded once again by local people who had gathered in the port since news of the long-awaited success was confirmed – by press briefing and foghorn – shortly after 4am on Tuesday.
The operation, which involved 500 workers of 26 nationalities and was widely viewed as the most challenging part of a salvage plan whose costs have already topped €600m (£500m) and are likely to rise, lasted 19 hours – well over the initial prediction.The operation, which involved 500 workers of 26 nationalities and was widely viewed as the most challenging part of a salvage plan whose costs have already topped €600m (£500m) and are likely to rise, lasted 19 hours – well over the initial prediction.
Its success should permit a search to begin soon for the bodies of the two people who remain missing, presumed dead, after the tragedy of 13 January 2012.Its success should permit a search to begin soon for the bodies of the two people who remain missing, presumed dead, after the tragedy of 13 January 2012.
Maria Grazia Trecarichi, from Sicily, and Russel Rebello, an Indian waiter and crew member, were never found after the disaster, which claimed 30 other lives.Maria Grazia Trecarichi, from Sicily, and Russel Rebello, an Indian waiter and crew member, were never found after the disaster, which claimed 30 other lives.
Their relatives are due to arrive in Giglio on Tuesday to discuss the plans with the authorities in the hope that they will finally be able to take their loved ones home.Their relatives are due to arrive in Giglio on Tuesday to discuss the plans with the authorities in the hope that they will finally be able to take their loved ones home.
Gabrielli said the search would begin as soon as the wreck site was declared safe – within, he hoped, the "coming days".Gabrielli said the search would begin as soon as the wreck site was declared safe – within, he hoped, the "coming days".
Kevin Rebello, Russel's brother, thanked those in charge of the parbuckling. "Great job team Nick Sloane and the civil protection agency of Italy … for believing in this project," he wrote on Facebook.Kevin Rebello, Russel's brother, thanked those in charge of the parbuckling. "Great job team Nick Sloane and the civil protection agency of Italy … for believing in this project," he wrote on Facebook.
"Thanks to the financial support of Costa and Carnival Cruises who privately invested in this project without seeking the Italian government's help.""Thanks to the financial support of Costa and Carnival Cruises who privately invested in this project without seeking the Italian government's help."
The successful mission was also welcomed by the Italian prime minister, Enrico Letta, who tweeted that he had called Gabrielli to tell him "that all those working there [on the wreck] are a source of great Italian pride."The successful mission was also welcomed by the Italian prime minister, Enrico Letta, who tweeted that he had called Gabrielli to tell him "that all those working there [on the wreck] are a source of great Italian pride."
The Concordia disaster, especially the behaviour of the ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, proved a source of national embarrassment. Some hope the successful completion of the parbuckling will go some way to restoring that hurt pride.The Concordia disaster, especially the behaviour of the ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, proved a source of national embarrassment. Some hope the successful completion of the parbuckling will go some way to restoring that hurt pride.
Begun at 9am on Monday with a delay due to a fierce overnight storm over the Tuscan island, the parbuckling rotated the 114,000-tonne ship by 65 degrees to bring it fully vertical.Begun at 9am on Monday with a delay due to a fierce overnight storm over the Tuscan island, the parbuckling rotated the 114,000-tonne ship by 65 degrees to bring it fully vertical.
For most of the time progress was slow: about three degrees an hour. But in the final stage the speed mounted dramatically to a rate of about eight or nine degrees an hour as gravity did its work and the water-loaded port-side sponsons effectively pushed the ship down on to underwater platforms.For most of the time progress was slow: about three degrees an hour. But in the final stage the speed mounted dramatically to a rate of about eight or nine degrees an hour as gravity did its work and the water-loaded port-side sponsons effectively pushed the ship down on to underwater platforms.
Engineers estimate that about two-thirds of the ship is now underwater.Engineers estimate that about two-thirds of the ship is now underwater.
Nick Sloane, the senior salvage master for Titan Salvage, masterminded the operation from a multinational control room.Nick Sloane, the senior salvage master for Titan Salvage, masterminded the operation from a multinational control room.
Asked whether the platforms – which placed together are about 150 metres long – would support the ship during the winter, Costa Crociere's project manager, Franco Porcellacchia, said steps had been taken to guarantee an exceptional level of security.Asked whether the platforms – which placed together are about 150 metres long – would support the ship during the winter, Costa Crociere's project manager, Franco Porcellacchia, said steps had been taken to guarantee an exceptional level of security.
The engineers said they hoped to be able eventually to carry out a thorough search of the wreck's cabin safes for passenger possessions that may have survived the 20 months underwater.The engineers said they hoped to be able eventually to carry out a thorough search of the wreck's cabin safes for passenger possessions that may have survived the 20 months underwater.
The parbuckling revealed a large amount of damage to the part of the ship that had been submerged.The parbuckling revealed a large amount of damage to the part of the ship that had been submerged.
But Gabrielli said the deformation, though significant, was "in my opinion less bad than feared". Engineers would start studying how to go about fixing the damage and welding on more sponsons, he said.But Gabrielli said the deformation, though significant, was "in my opinion less bad than feared". Engineers would start studying how to go about fixing the damage and welding on more sponsons, he said.
The record-breaking cost of the Concordia's salvage is being footed by its owners, Costa Crociere. Michael Thamm, the company's chief executive, said the current estimate of more than €600m would rise significantly before the ship is finally towed away next year.The record-breaking cost of the Concordia's salvage is being footed by its owners, Costa Crociere. Michael Thamm, the company's chief executive, said the current estimate of more than €600m would rise significantly before the ship is finally towed away next year.
But he added that the company's priority was the preservation of Giglio's pristine waters, which are known for their marine life. "We will pay what is required to pay," he said. "We are not driven by financials." To the local people assembled in the media tent, he added: "You can rely on us."But he added that the company's priority was the preservation of Giglio's pristine waters, which are known for their marine life. "We will pay what is required to pay," he said. "We are not driven by financials." To the local people assembled in the media tent, he added: "You can rely on us."
He said the company's insurers would not cover the total cost of the salvage operation.He said the company's insurers would not cover the total cost of the salvage operation.
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