Costa Concordia sinks off the coast of Italy

I missed the Discovery Channel documentary on the Costa Concordia the first time but caught it today. According to their experts, though they didn't say it specifically, Schettino did nothing right after getting the ship out of Civitavecchia without damage.

What he did wrong:

Deviated from corporate approved course and steered too close to Giglio.

Was running too fast for such close proximity to land.

Started the turn away from the rocks too late for the speed the ship was making.

Was heading back out to sea when the ship's propulsion failed.

Delayed ordering "Abandon Ship" until the port lifeboats were useless.

Abandoned ship himself while crew and passengers were still aboard.

Ignored a direct order from the Coast Guard to return to the ship.


Discovery's Captains final verdict on what prevented significantly higher loss of life was the wind drove the drifting ship back on the rocks.

Schettino claims his brave actions saved many lives but Discovery gives him no credit at all. Did this guy do anything right after leaving the port of departure?

Hi,

It seems that a salvage contract has been agreed.

Costa Concordia To Be Salvaged In One Piece | Stuff.co.nz

Titan Salvage and Italy’s Micoperi Win Contract to Remove Costa Concordia | ******** - Maritime & Offshore

With Titan on hand I have no doubt the ship can be removed in one piece (more or less). Titan is incredibly talented in this line of work. Their record speaks for itself.

As I understand it, Titan will be utilizing a series of giant airbags to raise the Concordia up in one piece. This will surely be an interesting engineering feat.

Given the very high profile nature of the accident, the re-floating will likely be very well documented, so it will be interesting to see it unfold.

Using air bags in salvage work is commonplace. They're versatile and, when used correctly, create a very stable recovery. While this is speculative, I predict that they will move the ship largely in the profile she is in now and correct the list when there is more water under her. The bags do require flotation to work against. Titan will know what to do. Can't say enough good things about those guys.

The process starts....

Looks like the next steps are about to begin... Wrecked Costa Concordia to be raised from Italian sea bed - CNN.com

I may have to revise my opinion she will be cut up in place. It looks like they have a sound, well thought out, plan to salvage the ship.

Costa Concordia Salvage Plan Revealed [PHOTO TOUR] | ******** - Maritime & Offshore

Captain Schettino has been released from house arrest, but instructed to not talk with anyone other than counsel or his family.

Italian cruise ship captain freed from house arrest - CNN.com

I believe he is allowed to talk to others.

"The judge also lifted a provision barring Schettino from communicating with anyone apart from his lawyers and family."

Hi,

For those who are interested and missed the original broadcast the CNN Show will be on again this weekend.

"Cruise to Disaster" airs on CNN International at 0800GMT/1000CET and 1900GMT/2100CET on Saturday, July 7; and at 0100GMT/0300CET and 1000GMT/1200CET on Sunday, July 8.

I'm still checking the Giglio web cam at least daily to watch the progress. It looks like they are making good progress towards righting her:

WebCam Giglio Porto Panoramica | isola-del-giglio | webcam


ps Of course you have to look when it's daylight over there.

The Captain speaks out.

BBC News - Costa Concordia captain 'sorry' for sinking

09:45 local time - Heavy lifting gear arrives to work on her port side.

WebCam Giglio Porto Panoramica | isola-del-giglio | webcam


Other work has been going on near her superstructure for several weeks. They have now moved the port camera back so that it can be seen more clearly.

No shortage of generator power now.

WebCam Giglio Porto Panoramica | isola-del-giglio | webcam

Update:

Supposedly the Costa Concordia won't raised until next spring. The task was quite a bit more involved than originally thought.

Costa Concordia is turned into a macabre tourist attraction as plans to re-float stricken cruise ship hit a snag | Mail Online

The last web-cam showed beautiful waters and equipment missing. Have they really stopped working for the winter?

No they haven't stopped, in fact, they work through the night too.

The heavy lift crane/barge is back this morning.

BTW - don't believe everything you read in 'The Mail' - one of the worst and unreliable papers to come out of the UK.
The original plan said they would take a year to do the job. I seem to recall that they started in May.

Latest from the webcam :-

WebCam Giglio Porto Panoramica | isola-del-giglio | webcam

I just can't wait to see them try to lift this thing... i'd roll over laughing if they lifted it and it fell over on the other side.

If I remember the topography correctly if that happened then she would slide off into much deeper water...