Salvaging the Concordia

What happens now to the massive lump of steel that sits partially submerged o the coast of Italy? Salvage workers can begin operations once rescue e orts have been declared over. But how they will remove the ship is still questionable.
Costa Concordia

IN MINUTES

News and events visually

Removing the oil

The rst priority would be to pump the 2,400+ tonnes of oil and other lubricants from the stricken ship.

Hole in hull adjacent to fuel bunkers Double-hull: Three-centimetrethick steel plate

Isolating valve: Attached to the landing plate. Cam lock hose tting

Hot tapping

The method of making a connection to an existing pressure vessel without having to empty the vessel. This means on that a pipe or tank can continue depending to be in operation while weather. maintenance or modications are being done to it. The process is also used to drain o pressurized casing uids.

3-4 weeks,

Pumping ld the oil cou e tak

Hot-tap device is backed out and valve closed, reducing the amount of oil that escapes to a minimum.

lieve Experts be risk is little there fuel leak of a major ould at w th te the contamina rea. cenic a s

Bunker tanks

Suction hose: Steam injection system and hose secured to cam tting diver opens valve.

Salvage options
Floating
Patching e ort begins to temporarily repair damage below the water line. Water can then be pumped out.

Landing plate: Holes drilled and threaded through outer hull plating. The landing plate is installed to enable equipment to be bolted into place. A crane and cables are used to right the ship.

Hot-tap device: Bolted to cam tting. Valve opened hydraulic drill penetrates the hull plating and bunker tank.

Oil pumped to recovery barge. When oil reaches the surface, it is passed through an oil-water separator.

Cutting
Winches tighten the wires and roll the ship upright.

A more drastic approach, the ship can be cut up into smaller pieces.

An air bag can be used to assist the crane.

Sources: Smit Salvage; Titan Salvage; Graphic News; Wikipedia

Heavy duty cables run around the hull and are attached to a crane.

A preventer is anchored to the sea bed.

The pieces can then be towed away by smaller boats.

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY TARA CORRAN/QMI AGENCY