Costa Concordia wreck to be towed to scrapyard after refloating operation

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/21/costa-concordia-wreck-towed-scrapyard-refloating

Version 0 of 1.

The deformed and discoloured wreck of the Costa Concordia will begin its voyage to the scrapyard on Wednesday, Italian technicians said, as the ship's departure was delayed by 24 hours to allow for final checks in the most ambitious maritime salvage operation in history.

The delicate refloating process of the past week was in its final phase, Sergio Girotto, a lead engineer, said on Monday. However, the stricken ship still had 2.5 metres to rise and some large metal boxes – known as sponsons – had to be attached before it would be ready to leave the port of Giglio, where it has lain for the past two and a half years.

On the night of 13 January 2012 the 290-metre-long floating palace, with 1,500 cabins, four swimming pools and a casino, crashed into a reef off the Tuscan island, tearing a gash of more than 50 metres in its hull. Thirty-two people died in the resulting rush for safety. The body of one victim – Russel Rebello, an Indian waiter – has still not been found.

After a spectacular parbuckling process last September, during which the Concordia was brought upright from the listing position it adopted on the night of the tragedy, the salvage effort focused on refloating the wreck.

Since Monday of last week, when the process began, long-sunken parts of the hull have gradually emerged thanks to the upward force exerted by the sponsons, which are being pumped full of air and are effectively acting as giant arm-bands around the vessel.

For the first time since it ran aground, the lettering - now rusting, in parts barely visible - of the ship's name has become visible.

Girotto told journalists it was "a question of hours" before the work would be finished and the ship could be readied for towing.

But Franco Gabrielli, Italy's civil protection chief, said the day of departure had been postponed to be certain that everything was ready and the conditions were suitable.

Michael Thamm, chief executive of the ship's owner, Costa Crociere, which is footing the bill for the estimated €1.5bn (£1.19bn) salvage operation, said the extra time would enable technicians to run more tests to "raise our comfort levels further". He added: "I believe in this kind of operation it is good to be cautious,."

The decision was greeted with irritation by the mayor of Giglio, Sergio Ortelli, who said that although he understood the magnitude of the challenge he regretted the "message of uncertainty" the delay would send to the island's tourist industry.

Ferry services to Giglio port are to be suspended during the hours leading up to the Concordia's towing. It is expected to arrive in Genova – a voyage of about 200 nautical miles – by Sunday.

Two routes to the north-western Italian port are being considered, one that takes the ship to the north of Giglio and one to the south. Technicians will make a decision, based on the weather and sea conditions, shortly before the towing begins.