Raising the

A Crowley Maritime Corporation Publication

The largest maritime wreck removal

project in history begins.

16

9LHK`[VYVSS!;OL;0;(54PJVWLYP[LHT
executes the critical parbuckling phase,
YPNO[PUN[OLZOPWHZ[OL^OVSL^VYSK^H[JOLZ

24

After more than 20 months, the stricken

Costa ConcordiaPZYLVH[LKHUK[V^LK
H^H`MYVT.PNSPV0ZSHUKMVYL]LY

Table
of
Contents

29

16

30

22

31

10

24

31

0U[YVK\J[PVU ................ 4

9LZ[VYPUN6YKLY........ 29

Learn about the largest, most technically

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-VSSV^PUN[OL^YLJRZYLTV]HSthe
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VYHYLWSHU[LK

The Project ................. 6

*VTTHUKPUN
Respect ................... 30

The largest maritime wreck removal project

in history begins.

Phase 1 ...................... 8
;OLYZ[WOHZLVM[OLZHS]HNLVWLYH[PVU
PU]VS]LK[OLHUJOVYPUNHUKZ[HIPSPaH[PVUVM
the wreck to prevent any slipping or sinking
HSVUN[OLZ[LLWZLHILK

Phase 2 .................... 10
33

;OLZLJVUKZ[HNLVM[OLZHS]HNLPUJS\KLK
the preparation of the false bottom that the
^YLJRYLZ[LKVUHM[LYP[ZYV[H[PVU

Phase 3 .................... 16
9LHK`[VYVSS!;OL;0;(54PJVWLYP[LHT
executes the critical parbuckling phase,
YPNO[PUN[OLZOPWHZ[OL^OVSL^VYSK^H[JOLZ

Phase 4 .................... 22
+\YPUN[OLMV\Y[OZ[HNLZ[HYIVHYKZWVUZVUZ
HYLHKKLK[V[OLUL^S`L_WVZLKZPKLVM
the wreck.

7OHZL .................... 24
After more than 20 months, the stricken
Costa ConcordiaPZYLVH[LKHUK[V^LK
H^H`MYVT.PNSPV0ZSHUKMVYL]LY

37

The Costa ConcordiaJVTTHUKZYLZWLJ[

UV[VUS`MVY[OLZJHSLHUKZPaLVM[OL
project, but also for the lives lost as a
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.PNSPV-VYL]LY
*OHUNLK .................. 31
During the salvage operation, Giglio was
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PTWHJ[LK[OLSVJHSK`UHTPJZ

Recognition .............. 31
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^P[O[OL4HYP[PTL*HZ\HS[`9LZWVUZLHUK
5(4,7(H^HYKZ

The Team ................. 33

*YV^SL`4HYP[PTLHUKZ\IZPKPHYPLZ;0;(5
:HS]HNLHUK1LUZLU4HYP[PTLQVPULKMVYJLZ
to successfully complete the largest maritime
salvage project in history.

Partnering ................ 37
Partnering with university biologists,
[OL;0;(5[LHTMVYTLKHJSVZL^VYRPUN
relationship with the Department of
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OHIP[H[K\YPUN[OLWYVQLJ[

Author and Managing Editor: Amelia Smith | Contributing Writer: Jenifer Kimble
Art Director: )Y`HU[/HYK^PJRcExecutive Editor: Mark Miller
Source Material: theparbucklingproject.com
Photography: [OLWHYI\JRSPUNZP[LJVT3PUKZH`4HSLU;VKK)\ZJOHUK,UYPJV:HJJOL[[P
Crowley Maritime Corporation, 9LNLUJ`:X\HYL)V\SL]HYK1HJRZVU]PSSL-SVYPKH
*96>3,@ JYV^SL`JVTcFollow Us:JYV^SL`JVTZVJPHS

Raising the Costa Concordia

Introduction

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passenger shipwreck by tonnage in history.
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removal are perhaps even more epic, as was
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Raising the Costa Concordia

1. Rich Habib

The Project:

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Largest Maritime
Wreck Removal Project
in History Begins

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>P[O[OLZ[HRLZOPNOHUKHZOPW[^PJL[OLZPaLVM[OLTitanic laying
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with a complex plan to remove the stricken
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execution. Micoperi brought with it a long
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Project Phases

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salvage expert, with the help of 10 others,
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control barge.
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of the project.
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their work on site in May 2012, Costa Cruises
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contractors to remove more than 2,300 tons
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TO SEE A VIDEO DESCRIBING THE COSTA
CONCORDIA SALVAGE PLAN, VISIT:
titansalvage.com/parbuckling

Raising the Costa Concordia

Phase One:

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1. Workers took mountainclimbing classes to
safely traverse the
Costa Concordia.
2. Wreck removal
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the ship

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about the weight of the ship,
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Dolomite Mountains.
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parbuckling, or rotation to an upright position.
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to rest upright on the steeply sloping bottom.
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winter of 2012 came on scene. Arriving with

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amounting to more than
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LUKVM[OLWYVQLJ[[OL
SHYNLZ[KP]LVWLYH[PVU
ever in history.
;0;(5ZKP]L[LHTOHUK
WSHJLKO\UKYLKZVM
LJVMYPLUKS`JLTLU[SSLK
NYV\[IHNZLHJO[OLZPaL
VMHYLZPKLU[PHSZ^PTTPUN
WVVSIL[^LLU[OL[^V
ZW\YZVMYVJR\UKLY[OLZOPW

12

Raising the Costa Concordia

VM[OLILKYVJR^OPJOTLHU[[OH[^LOHK[V
TVKPM`ZVTLVM[OLWSH[MVYTZ[^V[OYLL^LLRZ
ILMVYL[OL`^LYLNVPUNPU
;VJVTWSL[L[OLZ\YMHJLIYLHRPUNNYHUP[LKYPSSPUN
[OL[LHTJYLH[LKPUUV]H[P]LZ\IZLH[LTWSH[LZ
^P[OO`KYH\SPJYHTZ[OH[TH[JOLK[OLMVV[WYPU[
VM[OLWSH[MVYTZ;OPZHPKLKPU[OLILKYVJR
IYLHR[OYV\NOHUKHSZVOLSWLK[VWYV]PKLHSL]LS
template on the sea bottom. The weight of the
ZTHSS[LTWSH[L[V[HSLK[VUZ^P[O[OLSHYNLY
of the two templates weighing over 270 tons.
Another challenge was transporting the sponsons
MYVT[OLZOPW`HYKZ[V[OL^VYRZP[LK\YPUN[OL
^LH[OLY^PUKV^^OLU[OL`^LYLULLKLKZVHZ

UV[[VKLSH`[OLWYVQLJ[M\Y[OLY:WVUZVUZHYL
TL[HSIV_LZ[OLSHYNLZ[^HZ[VUZHUK[OL
[HSSLZ[Z[VYPLZOPNO[OH[^LYLSSLK^P[O^H[LY
HUKH_LK[V[OLZPKLZVM[OL]LZZLS[VIHSSHZ[
[OL^YLJR[V[OLWSH[MVYTZ3H[LYJVTWYLZZLK
HPY^HZ\ZLK[VKPZWSHJL[OL^H[LYHUKJYLH[L
I\V`HUJ`K\YPUN[OLYLVH[PUNWOHZL
0[OPUR[OLSVNPZ[PJHSJOHSSLUNLVMZ\WWS`PUN
[OLZWVUZVUZVUKLTHUKH[Q\Z[[OLYPNO[[PTL
WYV]LK[VILHJOHSSLUNLHUK[OH[Z^OH[[OL
SVNPZ[PJZ[LHTKPKMHU[HZ[PJHSS`^LSSZHPK:SVHUL
*YV^SL`OHKYLZWVUZPIPSP[`MVY[OLPU[LY`HYK
HUKJYVZZJV\U[Y`KLSP]LYPLZVM[OLUL^S`I\PS[
ZWVUZVUZHUKWSH[MVYTZ;OLZWVUZVUZ^LYL

Phase Two

13

JVUZ[Y\J[LKH[]LKPLYLU[ZOPW`HYKZHYV\UK
0[HS`HUK^OLULHJO^HZJVTWSL[LK[OL`^LYL
[YHUZMLYYLK[VHTHYZOHSSPUNZP[LH[HJVU[HPULY
`HYKPU3P]VYUVILMVYLILPUNZOPWWLK[V[OL
project site via barge.
,HJOZWVUZVUOHKHZWLJPHSYVSLHUKWSHJL
VU[OL^YLJRL_WSHPULK*YV^SL`Z4PJOHLS
1VOUZVUWYVQLJ[SVNPZ[PJZ;OL`^LYLU[
PU[LYJOHUNLHISL;OH[TLHU[[OL`HSSOHK[V
ILVYNHUPaLKHUKKLSP]LYLKH[HZWLJPHS[PTL
It was similar to Just-in-Time shipping, which
PZH]LY`JOHSSLUNPUNWYVNYHT^OLU`V\YL
KLSP]LYPUNMYVTVULZPKLVM[OLJV\U[Y`[V[OL
V[OLY]PH[\NHUKIHYNL

:WVUZVUZ\UKLYJVUZ[Y\J[PVUH[-PUJHU[PLYP:OPW`HYKPU.LUV]H
7SH[MVYTPZ[V^LKV\[MVYPUZ[HSSH[PVU;OPZWSH[MVYT^OPJO^HZ
I\PS[H[[OL9VZL[[PZOPW`HYKPU4HYPUHKP9H]LUUH^LPNOLKHIV\[
[VUZHUKTLHZ\YLKTL[LYZ^PKLI`TL[LYZOPNO
0[^HZZLJ\YLK[V[OLNYHUP[LZLHILKHIV\[TL[LYZKLLW
:[YHUKQHJRZHYLO`KYH\SPJQHJRZ\ZLK[V[LUZPVU[OLJHISLZHUK
NP]L[OL^YLJRTVYLZ[HIPSP[`;OPZZHS]HNLWYVQLJ[\ZLKTVYL
Z[YHUKQHJRZ[OHUHU`V[OLYPUOPZ[VY`

14

Raising the Costa Concordia

:WLJPHSS`[YHPULKKP]LYZJHYLM\SS`
YLSVJH[LKWYV[LJ[LK\UKLY^H[LY
species to a safe area for the
K\YH[PVUVM[OLZHS]HNLVWLYH[PVU
2. A view from the hills of the
sponson installation work
0UZ[HSSH[PVUVM[OLPUP[PHSWVY[ZPKL
ZWVUZVU[VVRHYV\UKZP_OV\YZ

6UJLPU3P]VYUV/HIPIWVPU[LKV\[[OH[[OL
JOHSSLUNLZ^LYLU[V]LY!>L^LYLYV[H[PUN
[OLZL[OPUNZPUKPLYLU[KPYLJ[PVUZZV^LJV\SK
UPZO[OLV\[[[PUNVU[OLT;OLU^LTV]LK
[OLTIHJR[V[OLKVJRHUK[OLUW\[[OLT
HIVHYKIHYNLZ[VILIYV\NO[[V[OLZP[LPU[OL
JVYYLJ[VYKLYHUKPU[OLJVYYLJ[VYPLU[H[PVU
6UJL[OLWPLJLZ^LYLKLSP]LYLKHUK[OL
KYPSSPUN^HZJVTWSL[L[OLOVSSV^SLNZVM[OL
WSH[MVYTZZSPKLHZPS`V]LY[OLWPSLZ[VOVSK
[OLTPUWSHJLHUV[OLYQVIYLX\PYPUN
absolute precision.
:SVHULL_WSHPULK;OLTHYNPUVMLYYVY[OH[^L
JV\SKHSSV^MVY^HZSLZZ[OHUZP_PUJOLZV]LY[OL
whole length of the platform. If it was any more
[OHU[OH[[OLSLNZ^V\SKU[[

;VWYV[LJ[[OLLU]PYVUTLU[K\YPUN[OLKYPSSPUN
[OLKYPSSOLHK^HZLUJSVZLKPUHJSVZLKJPYJ\P[
Z`Z[LTHULPNO[MVV[WPWLY\UUPUNMYVT[OL
ZLHILK[V[OLZ\YMHJL[VJVU[HPU[OLKYPSS
J\[[PUNZT\KHUKZLKPTLU[4HYPULIPVSVNPZ[Z
MYVT9VTLZ<UP]LYZP[n3H:HWPLUaHHSZV
[LTWVYHYPS`YLSVJH[LKTVYL[OHUNPHU[
T\ZZLSZPinas IgnoblisMYVT[OLTLHKV^ZVM
5LW[\UL.YHZZPosidonia OceanicaMVY
protection.
(M[LY[OLWSH[MVYTZ^LYLPUZ[HSSLKHJYHUL
HIVHYK[OLSAL SvenjaHZWLJPHSPaLKOLH]`SPM[
ZOPW^HZKLWSV`LK[VWLYMVYT[OLPUZ[HSSH[PVUVM
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WVY[ZPKLVM[OL^YLJR
B;OLZWVUZVUZ^LYLDV\[[[LK^P[O

Phase Two

ZVWOPZ[PJH[LKOVZLZHUKHPYW\TWZ[VJYLH[L
I\V`HUJ`L_WSHPULK.PYV[[V[V4PU\[LZ
;OLZWHJLMYVTVULZWVUZVU[V[OLV[OLY
P[B^HZDSLZZ[OHU[^VPUJOLZ:V[OL`B^LYLD
MHIYPJH[LK^P[OPUH]LY`Z[YPJ[[VSLYHUJL
:SVHULHKKLK;VNL[[OH[[VSLYHUJL^HZ
X\P[LHTHaPUN
)L[^LLU[OLWSH[MVYTZZWVUZVUZHUKHSS[OL
V[OLYOLH]`Z[LLSZ[Y\J[\YLZYLX\PYLKMVY[OL
project, it means that 33,000 tonnes of steel
^HZMHIYPJH[LK[VHKKVULUV\NO[VI\PSK[^V
ZOPWZZHPK/HIPI



16

Raising the Costa Concordia

1. A view of the 114,000-tonne wreck,

M\SS`V\[[[LK^P[OWVY[ZPKLZWVUZVUZ
Q\Z[KH`ZILMVYLP[^HZ[VILWHYI\JRSLK
;OLKH`ILMVYL[OLWHYI\JRSPUN[OL
ZHS]VYZWYL[LUZPVULK[OL^YLJR
a process involving an initial exertion
VMMVYJL[VSL[P[ZVHR[OYV\NO[OL
Z[LLSHUKWYLWHYLP[MVY[OLL]LU[
;OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZ^LYLZWLJPHS
ZWVUZVUZ[OH[WYV]PKLKHUL[I\V`HUJ`
VMHIV\[[VUZHUKZ\WWVY[LK[OL
IV^K\YPUN[OLWHYI\JRSPUN[OLYLZ[PUN
VM[OL^YLJRVU[OLHY[PJPHSZLHILK
HUK[OLYLVH[PUNZ[HNL

Phase Three

17

Phase 3:

9LHK`[V9VSS!
Parbuckling
>P[O[OLMV\UKH[PVUZLJ\YLKWSH[MVYTZPUWSHJLHUKVM[OLWVY[ZPKL
ZWVUZVUZPUZ[HSSLK[OLUL_[Z[LW^HZ[OLWHYI\JRSPUN
Surprising to some, this technique is nothing
UL^0[^HZ\ZLKMVYL_HTWSL[VYPNO[[OL USS
Oklahoma after the battleship was sunk at Pearl
/HYIVYHUKHSZV[VZHS]HNL[OLHerald of Free
EnterpriseMLYY`HM[LYP[JHWZPaLKH[ALLIY\NNL
PU )\[[OLSVJH[PVUHUKZOLLYZJHSLVM
the Costa ConcordiaTHKL[OL[LJOUPX\L
JOHSSLUNPUNHZKPK[OL]LZZLSZPU[LYUHSZ[Y\J[\YL
HUKWVZP[PVUPUN
;OPZB^HZDIYHUKUL^[LJOUVSVN`IYHUKUL^
TL[OVKVSVN`ZHPK.PYV[[V;VSPM[H]LZZLSPU
[OPZ^H`P[B^HZD[OLYZ[[PTLL]LY
,]LUILMVYL[OLKLSPJH[L[OPYKZ[HNLILNHUPU[OL
summer of 2013, it brought many uncertainties
MVY[OL[LHT5VVULJV\SKWYLKPJ[OV^T\JO
MVYJL^V\SKHJ[\HSS`ILYLX\PYLK[VW\SS[OL
ZOPW\WYPNO[PMP[OHK[OLZ[Y\J[\YHSPU[LNYP[`[V
^P[OZ[HUK[OLWYLZZ\YLVM[OLYV[H[PVUVY^OH[
[OLKHTHNL^V\SKILVU[OLZ[HYIVHYKZPKL
,]LY`WVZZPISLV\[JVTL^HZJVUZPKLYLKHUK
[OLWSHUZ^LYLWHPUZ[HRPUNS`YLL]HS\H[LK(ZH
YLZ\S[P[ILJHTLJSLHY[V[OL;0;(54PJVWLYP

[LHT[OH[[OLIV^VM[OL]LZZLS^V\SKULLK
HKKP[PVUHSZ\WWVY[K\YPUN[OLWHYI\JRSPUN
;OLIV^^HZPUKLLW^H[LYZV^LJV\SKU[W\[
Z\WWVY[WSH[MVYTZ[OLYL>LOHK[OYLLSHYNL
WSH[MVYTZ\UKLY[OLZOPWZILSS`HUK[OYLLIHI`
VULZ\UKLYOLYZ[LYUI\[[OLYL^HZHSTVZ[H
MVV[IHSSLSKZ^VY[OVM[OLIV^OHUNPUNV]LY
[OLMVY^HYKYLLMZ\ZWLUKLKL_WSHPULK:SVHUL
>LRUL^[OLYL^HZHNVVKJOHUJL^OLU^L
WHYI\JRSLK[OLIV^^V\SK[^PZ[HUKIYLHRZV
^L\ZLK[OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZ
5V[WHY[VM[OLVYPNPUHSWSHU[OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZ
^LYL[^VHKKP[PVUHSZ[LLS[HURZ[OH[;0;(5
4PJVWLYPPUZ[HSSLKVU[OLCosta ConcordiaZ
Z\ZWLUKLKIV^[VWYV]PKLZ\WWVY[K\YPUNHUK
HM[LY[OLWHYI\JRSPUNHZ^LSSHZK\YPUN[OL
YLVH[PUNWOHZL;OL[HURZ^OPJO^LYL_LK[V
[OLO\SSI`TLHUZVM[OYLLHUJOVYWPWLZPUZ[HSSLK
PU[OLIV^[OY\Z[LY[\UULSZJVSSLJ[P]LS`^LPNOLK
[VUZHUKLHJOTLHZ\YLKTL[LYZSVUN
HUKTL[LYZOPNO4\JOSPRLHJLY]PJHSJVSSHY
ULJRIYHJL\ZLKVUWH[PLU[Z^P[OZWPUHSPUQ\YPLZ

5V[WHY[VM[OLVYPNPUHSWSHU[OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZ^LYL[^V
HKKP[PVUHSZ[LLS[HURZ[OH[;0;(54PJVWLYPPUZ[HSSLKVU[OL
Costa ConcordiaZZ\ZWLUKLKIV^[VWYV]PKLZ\WWVY[

18

Raising the Costa Concordia

0[^HZHUHTHaPUNHJJVTWSPZOTLU[I`[OL
WYVQLJ[[LHT[VOH]L[OLTKLZPNULKI\PS[
HUKKLSP]LYLKVU[PTL

[OL`WYV]PKLKHUL[I\V`HUJ`VM[VUZ[V
[OLMYVU[VM[OLZOPWYLK\JPUN[OLJOHUJLVM
M\Y[OLYKHTHNL
6UJLP[^HZJVUJLW[\HSS`KL[LYTPULK[OH[[OL
PUZ[HSSH[PVUVM[OLISPZ[LY[HURZ^LYLULLKLKP[
^HZHUHTHaPUNHJJVTWSPZOTLU[I`[OLWYVQLJ[
[LHT[VOH]L[OLTKLZPNULKI\PS[HUKKLSP]LYLK
VU[PTLZHPK;0;(5Z:PTVU-VYYLZ[THUHNLY
HJJV\U[PUN^OV^VYRLKVU[OLWYVQLJ[Z
UHUJL[LHT
;OLPUZ[HSSH[PVUVM[OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZ^HZ
JVTWSL[LKPU(\N\Z[
)\[[OL;0;(5[LHTOHKVULTVYL\UL_WLJ[LK
JOHSSLUNL[VV]LYJVTLILMVYL[OL`JV\SK
WHYI\JRSL[OL^YLJR!H\[OVYP[PLZYLX\PYLK[OL
ZHS]VYZ[VYLTV]L[VUZVMZLKPTLU[MYVT
[OLZLHILKH[HZR[OH[[VVRULHYS`HTVU[O
to complete.

Phase Three

19

0[^HZIHZPJHSS`SPRLTHU\HSS`]HJ\\TPUN[OL
ZLHILKL_WSHPULK:SVHUL>HSRPUNHYV\UK
^P[OH]HJ\\TW\TWJVUULJ[LK[V[OLZ\YMHJL
HUK`V\OH]LIPNZLKPTLU[[YHWZVU[OL
Z\YMHJL@V\SL[[OL^H[LYNV[OYV\NOZVTL
S[YH[PVUZ`Z[LTZ[VTHRLZ\YL[OL^H[LY[OH[
JVTLZV\[VM[OLYLPZWLYMLJ[HUK[OLUKPZWVZL
VM[OLZLKPTLU[>LUPZOLKQ\Z[PU[PTLMVY[OL
WHYI\JRSLZVP[^HZWLYMLJ[[PTPUN
The night before the rotation was to begin, Sloane
HUKOPZJVSSLHN\LZWYL[LUZPVULK[OL^YLJRH
WYVJLZZ[OH[PU]VS]LKHUPUP[PHSL_LY[PVUVMMVYJL
[VSL[P[ZVHR[OYV\NO[OLZ[LLSHUKWYLWHYLP[
for what was to come. This was an important
YZ[Z[LWILJH\ZLVUJL[OLWHYI\JRSPUNILNHU
P[JV\SKUV[ILZ[VWWLK

Then, on the morning of Sept. 16, after a brief

KLSH`K\L[V[O\UKLYZ[VYTZWHYI\JRSPUN
VWLYH[PVUZILNHU;OL;0;(54PJVWLYP[LHT
ZH[KPYLJ[PUN[OLZOV^PU[OLPYOPNOS`[LJOUPJHS
JVU[YVSYVVTHIVHYK[OLIHYNLPolluce,
WVZP[PVULKVU[OLCosta ConcordiaZIV^
>P[O[OLVYKLYZNP]LUO`KYH\SPJZ[YHUKQHJRZ
^P[O[OLJVTIPULKJHWHJP[`VM[VUZVM
force, began the job of pulling the massive
vessel upright.
([[OLZ[HY[P[^HZ]LY`[LUZL>LOHKNV[[V
[VUZBVMMVYJLDHUKZOLOHKU[TV]LK
ZHPK:SVHUL7LVWSL^LYLULY]V\Z>LOHK[V
\ZL[V[VUZ[VNL[OLYV[OLYVJRZ
;OH[^HZ[OLTVZ[JY\JPHSTVTLU[
;OLMVYJLZULLKLK[VW\SS[OLZOPW\WYPNO[
^LYLNYLH[LY[OHUL_WLJ[LKHKKLK/HIPI
0[ULLKLKHIP[TVYLVVTWO;OLZ[YHUKQHJRZ
OHK[VNVZSV^LY[OHU^LKVYPNPUHSS`[OV\NO[
1\Z[HM[LYUVVU;0;(54PJVWLYPHUUV\UJLK[OH[
[OLPUP[PHSZ[LHK`W\SSPUNMVYJLVM[VUZMYVT
[OLQHJRZOHKYV[H[LK[OL]LZZLSI`[OYLLM\SS

;OLMVYJLZULLKLK[VW\SS[OLZOPW\WYPNO[
^LYLNYLH[LY[OHUL_WLJ[LK0[ULLKLKHIP[
TVYLVVTWO;OLZ[YHUKQHJRZOHK[VNV
ZSV^LY[OHU^LKVYPNPUHSS`[OV\NO[

;OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZ
PUWYVK\J[PVUPU
Palermo, Italy.
2. Commonly working in
NYV\WZ\UKLYJVTW\[LY
JVU[YVSZ[YHUKQHJRZ
\ZLO`KYH\SPJNYPWZ[V
pull steel cables a few
inches at a time - in this
case to raise the Costa
Concordia.
;OLKPY[`^H[LYSPUL
marks the slow progress
of the parbuckling.
4. The salvage team
observes the parbuckling
operations carefully from
the remote control room.

20

Raising the Costa Concordia

:SVHULHUUV\UJLK[OH[[OL
Costa Concordia^HZYHPZLKHUKOPZ
^PMLPUP[PH[LK[OLYZ[]LZZLSOVYU^OPJO
^HZLJOVLKI`V[OLYZPU\UPZVU
KLNYLLZ>OPSLUV[LUV\NO[V^HYYHU[ZPNOZVM
YLSPLMQ\Z[`L[P[^HZL]PKLUJL[OH[[OLWSHU^HZ
PUKLLK^VYRPUNHUK[OH[[OLW\SSPUNMVYJLZJV\SK
ILKLJYLHZLKNYHK\HSS`HZYV[H[PVUWYVNYLZZLK
K\L[V[OL^LPNO[VM[OLZWVUZVUZ^OPJO^V\SK
help to roll it upright. Meanwhile, the computerVWLYH[LKIHSSHZ[JVU[YVSZ`Z[LTVM[OLZWVUZVUZ
MVZ[LYLKHULSLNHU[JV\U[LYIHSHUJL[VWYL]LU[
over-rotation.
(Z[OL\WYPNO[PUNWYVNYLZZLKPUL_JLZZVM
KLNYLLZVWLYH[PVUZ^LYLPU[LYY\W[LK[V
HKKYLZZZVTLVM[OLW\SSPUNJHISLZ[OH[OHK
ILN\U[VLU[HUNSL;OL;0;(54PJVWLYP[LHT
OHKWYLWHYLKMVY[OPZPZZ\LHUKHKKYLZZLKP[]PH
the mobile salvage technicians, which quickly
HSSV^LK[OLWYVJLK\YL[VILNPUHNHPU

)`TPKUPNO[[OL]LZZLSOHKYLHJOLKHWVPU[
^OLYLHY[PJPHSW\SSPUN^HZUVSVUNLY^HYYHU[LK
;OLUYV[H[LKI`HIV\[KLNYLLZ[OLZWVUZVUZ
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:SVHULHUUV\UJLK[OH[[OLCosta Concordia
^HZYHPZLKHUKOPZ^PMLPUP[PH[LK[OLYZ[]LZZLS
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HSVUN^P[OH[O\UKLYV\ZHWWSH\ZL[OH[LY\W[LK
MYVT[OL[LHT[OH[LJOVLK[OYV\NO[OLPZSHUKZ
hills. As the church bells rang, the people of
[OLPZSHUKVM.PNSPV0[HSPHUH\[OVYP[PLZO\UKYLKZ
VMTLTILYZVM[OLTLKPHHUK[OL;0;(5
4PJVWLYP[LHTNH[OLYLK[VLHNLYS`NYLL[[OL
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SHIVYLK[VJVTWSL[L[OPZPUJYLKPISLMLH[0[^HZ
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TVTLU[MVY;0;(5
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*VZ[H*Y\PZLZZHPK[OLVWLYH[PVU^HZMH\S[SLZZ!
>LJVTWSL[LK[OLWHYI\JRSPUNVWLYH[PVU[OL
^H`^L[OV\NO[P[^V\SKOHWWLUHUK[OL^H`
^LOVWLKP[^V\SKOHWWLU(WLYMLJ[VWLYH[PVU
0T\Z[ZH`

Phase Three

21

TO SEE A SHORT TIME-LAPSE VIDEO

SHOWING THE RIGHTING OF THE
COSTA CONCORDIA, VISIT:
titansalvage.com/timelapse

5PJRHUKOPZ[LHTKPKHYLHSS`Z\WLYIQVI
ZHPK/HIPITHUHNPUNKPYLJ[VY0[^HZULHYS`
WLYMLJ[PVUHUK[OH[PZH]LY`OHYK[OPUN[VJVTL
I`PUH^YLJRYLTV]HS0[ZH[LZ[HTLU[[V[OLPY
ZRPSSZHUKOHYK^VYR

(UK^OPSLP[ZWVY[ZPKL^HZZ[PSSHWYPZ[PUL^OP[L
[OLZOPWZZ[HYIVHYKZPKL^OPJOOHKILLU
Z\ITLYNLKMVYV]LYTVU[OZ^HZJVH[LKPU
HKPY[`IYV^UZJ\TNP]PUN[OL]LZZLSHZ\YYLHS
OHSMHUKOHSMHWWLHYHUJL

+LUU`/VZJOSHNHKP]LYMYVT[OL5L[OLYSHUKZ
ZHPK!;OPZPZHVUJLPUHSPML[PTLQVI;OLYLZHSV[
VMQV`ZLLPUN[OLZOPWUHSS`\WYPNO[0[NP]LZTL
NVVZLI\TWZ0[ZHUL_WLYPLUJL0SSUL]LYMVYNL[

>P[O[OLWYVQLJ[WLYJLU[JVTWSL[LKH[[OPZ
Z[HNL[OL]LZZLS^HZUHSS`ZHMLS`\WYPNO[
YLZ[PUNVUP[ZHY[PJPHSZLHILKH[HKLW[OVM
approximately 32 meters, a reassurance that
IYV\NO[ULLKLKYLSPLM[V[OL;0;(5[LHT

<WVUOLYYPNO[PUN[OL[Y\LKHTHNL[V[OL
]LZZLSJV\SKUHSS`ILZLLU/\NLJYH[LYSPRL
PUKLU[PVUZ^OLYLZOLJHTL[VYLZ[VUOLYZPKL
^LYLUV^IYHaLUS`VUKPZWSH`*Y\ZOLKZ[LLS
IYVRLU^PUKV^ZZOPM[LKM\YUP[\YLHUKZ[YL^U
belongings were now also visible for on-lookers.
(;0;(5ZHS]VYTVUP[VYZ
parbuckling operations
on scene.
(]PL^VM[OLKHTHNLK
Z[HYIVHYKZPKLVM[OL
Costa Concordia
9LWVY[LYZSPULK[OLZOVYL
[VSTHUKIYVHKJHZ[[OL
WHYI\JRSPUNSP]L-YVT
this vantage point, they
OHKHUPUJYLKPISL]PL^
VM[OLZ\ITLYNLKZPKL
as it slowly rose from
the water.

)\[[OLJOHSSLUNLZ^LYLU[V]LY;OLZ[HYIVHYK
KHTHNLZ[PSSOHK[VILPUZWLJ[LKHUKZ[HIPSPaLK
HUK[OL]LZZLSULLKLK[VIL^PU[LYPaLKVUJL
TVYL[VWYLZLY]LP[\U[PS^VYRJV\SKILNPUHNHPU
in the spring.

<WVUOLYYPNO[PUN[OL[Y\LKHTHNL[V[OL]LZZLSJV\SK
UHSS`ILZLLU/\NLJYH[LYSPRLPUKLU[PVUZ^OLYLZOLJHTL
[VYLZ[VUOLYZPKL^LYLUV^IYHaLUS`VUKPZWSH`
3

22

Raising the Costa Concordia

Phase 4:

:[HYIVHYK:WVUZVUZ
>PU[LYPaH[PVUVM[OL]LZZLSILNHUZVVUHM[LY[OLWHYI\JRSPUN
in October 2013.
;0;(5ZTHPUVIQLJ[P]LPUKVPUNZV^HZ[VWYV[LJ[
[OL]LZZLSHUKLU]PYVUTLU[MYVTM\Y[OLYKHTHNL
K\YPUN[OLKPJ\S[JVTPUN^PU[LYTVU[OZ
;OPZ^HZKVULPU[OYLLZ[LWZ!YZ[I`WVZP[PVUPUN
HUHKKP[PVUHSOVSKIHJRZ`Z[LT[VH]VPKM\Y[OLY
TV]LTLU[VM[OLIV^:LJVUK[OL;0;(5
4PJVWLYP[LHTPUZ[HSSLKHKKP[PVUHSYLTV]HISL
grout bags in the area between the wreck
HUK[OLZOVYLZPKLYVJRZ-PUHSS`[VM\Y[OLY
Z[HIPSPaL[OL^YLJR[OL`WVZP[PVULKZLHZPKL
[\I\SHYWPWLZ[OH[IYHJLK[OL\UKLY^H[LY
platforms to the top of the sponsons. Structural
Z\Y]L`ZVU[OLKHTHNLKZ[HYIVHYKZPKL^LYL
HSZVJVTWSL[LK^OPJOOLSWLK[VKLUL[OL
YLWHPYVWLYH[PVUZ[OH[^V\SKSH[LYHSSV^MVY
[OLWVZP[PVUPUNVM[OLZ[HYIVHYKZWVUZVUZ
YLX\PYLKMVY[OLYLVH[PUNWOHZL;OYV\NOV\[
HSSVMP[LU]PYVUTLU[HSTVUP[VYPUNJVU[PU\LK[V
HZZLZZ.PNSPVZZLH^H[LYX\HSP[`
;OL^VYR;0;(54PJVWLYPKPKPUWYLWHYPUN
MVY^PU[LY^HZZ\JJLZZM\S"[OL^YLJRTHKLP[
[OYV\NO[OLOHYZOTVU[OZ\UZJH[OLKHUKPU
(WYPSPUZ[HSSH[PVU^VYRMVY[OLZ[HYIVHYK
sponsons began. Once again presenting
challenges, the Costa ConcordiaZKPUN`YPNO[
ZPKLOHK[VILJVTWSL[LS`YLJVUKP[PVULK[V
JYLH[LHH[L]LUZ\YMHJL[VHSSV^[OLZWVUZVUZ
[VILPUZ[HSSLKPUWLYMLJ[HSPNUTLU[HUK[V
[YHUZMLY[OLYLVH[MVYJLZPU[V[OLO\SSVM[OLZOPW
>LOHK[VJYLH[L]LY`OLH]`Z[LLSILHTZ
^P[OI\TWLYZH[[OLLUKL_WSHPULK:SVHUL
>LOHK[VYLJYLH[L[OLT\UKLY^H[LYPUZPKL
HSS[OLKHTHNLKHYLHZZVP[^V\SK[[OLL_HJ[
L_[LYUHSWYVSLVM[OLKHTHNLKZPKLVM[OLZOPW
;OH[^HZKVUL]LY`^LSS=LY`PTWYLZZP]L"[OL
MHIYPJH[PVU[LHTKPKHUPUJYLKPISLQVI

(KKP[PVUHSS`[OLLZ[HISPZOTLU[VM[OL
electrical-pneumatic ballast-control systems
MVY[OLM\UJ[PVUPUNVM[OLZWVUZVUZK\YPUN[OL
YLVH[PUNWOHZLHSZVILNHU
)`SH[L(WYPSHM[LY[^VHUKHOHSMKH`ZVM
^VYR;0;(5JVTWSL[LK[OLPUZ[HSSH[PVUVM[OL
YZ[ZWVUZVUVU[OL^YLJRZZ[HYIVHYKZPKL
The inaugural sponson, which was the largest
I`OLPNO[HUK^LPNO[OHKILLU[V^LKHYV\UK
[V[OLPUZOVYLZPKLHUKWYLJPZLS`IHSSHZ[LKMVY
WVZP[PVUPUNHNHPUZ[[OLZ[HYIVHYKO\SS]PHH
YV[H[PUNOLH]`SPM[JYHULHIVHYK[OLWVU[VVU
barge Conquest MB1:[YHUKQHJRZW\SSLK
against the massive chains running beneath the
O\SS[VOVSKP[[PNO[[V[OL^YLJRVUJLWYLZZ\YPaLK
:PT\S[HULV\ZS`[OLHPYSSLKZWVUZVUZVU[OL
WVY[ZPKL^LYLIHSSHZ[LK^P[O^H[LY[VOVSK[OL
Costa ConcordiaYTS`[V[OLMHSZLIV[[VTHZ
[OL^VYRJVTTLUJLK
:SV^S`VULI`VUL[OLUL^ZWVUZVUZWS\Z
HUHKKP[PVUHSMV\Y[V[OLWVY[ZPKL^LYLHKKLK
[V[OL^YLJRHMLH[JVTWSL[LKI`LHYS`1\S`
+LZJYPILKHZ[PTLJVUZ\TPUNHUK
meticulous, the multi-month stage brought
[VNL[OLYTVYL[OHU[LJOUPJPHUZVM^OPJO
^LYLKP]LYZ^OVOLSWLK[VWYLWHYL[OL
^YLJRMVY[OLUHSZ[HNL

(ZVWOPZ[PJH[LKJYHULIHYNL[OL
Conquest MB1HYYP]LKH[.PNSPV0ZSHUK
[VJHYY`V\[VWLYH[PVUZYLSH[LK[V[OL
PUZ[HSSH[PVUVM[OLZ[HYIVHYKZWVUZVUZ
;OLZ[HYIVHYKZWVUZVUPUZ[HSSH[PVU
JYL^PZMLYYPLK[V[OL^VYRZP[L
;OLYZ[VM[OL Z[HYIVHYKZWVUZVUZ
[OL:^HZPUZ[HSSLK;OLZ[Y\J[\YL
^LPNOLK[VUZHUKTLHZ\YLK
TL[LYZ^PKLI`TL[LYZOPNO

Phase Four

23

The Costa ConcordiaZKPUN`YPNO[ZPKLOHK[VIL

JVTWSL[LS`YLJVUKP[PVULK[VJYLH[LHH[L]LUZ\YMHJL[V
HSSV^[OLZWVUZVUZ[VILPUZ[HSSLKPUWLYMLJ[HSPNUTLU[
HUK[V[YHUZMLY[OLYLVH[MVYJLZPU[V[OLO\SSVM[OLZOPW

Phase 5:

9LVH[PUNHUK;V^

24

Raising the Costa Concordia

4PK1\S`*VZ[H*YVJPLYL*,64PJOHLS;OHTTPZZ\LKHZ[H[LTLU[
[OH[YLHK,]LY`[OPUNPZPUWSHJLHUKYLHK`BMVY[OLYLVH[D[OLZHS]HNL
[LHTOHZZ\JJLZZM\SS`JVTWSL[LK[OL[LJOUPJHS[LZ[Z0[PZHJVTWSL_
VWLYH[PVUUL]LYH[[LTW[LKILMVYLI\[^LRUV^^LJHUJV\U[VU[OL
ILZ[[LJOUPJPHUZPU[OL^VYSK
(M[LY[^VHUKHOHSM`LHYZ[OLUHSZ[HNLVM
^VYROHKHYYP]LK
;OLWSHU^HZ[VWHY[PHSS`YLVH[[OL]LZZLS
ZHPK/HIPI0UV[OLY^VYKZQ\Z[NL[P[\WH
ML^TL[LYZV[OLWSH[MVYTHUK[OLUTV]LP[
out about 30 meters. At that point the inshore
ZWVUZVUZ^V\SKILPUKLLW^H[LYHUK^LJV\SK
W\SS\ZPUN[OLZ[YHUKQHJRZVU[VW[OLT
KV^U[V[OLUHSKLW[OPU[OLPYUHSWVZP[PVU
([[OH[WVPU[^LJV\SKNL[[VV\YJVU[YHJ[KYHM[
VMTL[LYZ
>LRUL^P[^V\SKILHJOHSSLUNLZV^LNH]L
V\YZLS]LZZL]LUKH`ZZHPK:SVHUL0[[VVR
([!HTVU1\S`[OLYLVH[PUNVWLYH[PVU
ILNHU:SVHUL/HIPIHUK[OL;0;(54PJVWLYP
[LHTHYYP]LKH[[OLYLTV[LJVU[YVSYVVTHUK[OL
ZHS]HNLJYL^ZILNHU[OLYZ[Z[LWVM
lightering the vessel, freeing it of 30,000 tons
VMNYV\UKYLHJ[PVU]PH[OLI\V`HUJ`PU[OL
ZOPWZZWVUZVUZ

:L]LYHSOV\YZSH[LY:SVHULNH]L[OLVYKLY[V
Z[HY[\W[OLWV^LYM\SWUL\TH[PJISV^KV^U
Z`Z[LTZ^OPJO^LYLTV\U[LKVU[OLZOPW
[VNYHK\HSS`ILNPULTW[`PUN^H[LYMYVTHSS[OL
ZWVUZVUZ;OPZKPZWSHJLTLU[NLU[S`SPM[LK[OL
vessel from the false bottom, leaving 60 feet
of the hull beneath the water. The team also
began the task of tightening the massive
JOHPUZJVUULJ[LK[V[OLZWVUZVUZ
)\[[OLZHS]VYZJV\SKU[OH]LHU[PJPWH[LK[OH[
[OL`^V\SKOH]LHIZVS\[LS`UVL_JLZZI\V`HUJ`
[VZWHYLK\YPUN[OLYLVH[0UMHJ[OHK[OL[LHT
UV[PUZ[HSSLK[OLISPZ[LYZPZ[LYZVU[OLIV^VM
[OL^YLJR/HIPIJVUYTLK[OH[[OLZOPW^V\SK
OH]LILLUKPJ\S[[VYPZL\WV[OLWSH[MVYTZ
<S[PTH[LS`[OLZP[\H[PVUYLX\PYLK[OLZHS]HNL
[LHT[VWLYMVYTHYPZR`W\SSM\SSTHUL\]LY
with the tugboats.
0OH]L[V[LSS`V\HZHUL_WLYPLUJLKZHS]HNL
THZ[LY0JHU[ILNPU[VPTHNPUL^OH[^HZNVPUN
[OYV\NO5PJRZOLHKZHPK/HIPI)LJH\ZL
^OLU`V\YLW\SSPUNZVTL[OPUNOHYKHUK

Phase Five



P[ZHNYV\UKHUK[OPZ^HZHNYV\UKVU[OL
WSH[MVYTZ^OH[VM[LUOHWWLUZPZP[Z[HY[Z[V
TV]L]LY`ZSV^S`I\[^P[OPUHML^ZLJVUKZ
P[^PSSPUJYLHZLZWLLK]LY`X\PJRS`>LVM[LU
ZLLHZZHS]HNLTHZ[LYZZOPWZJVTLVT\JO
MHZ[LY[OHU^LKSPRL[VHUK[OLU^LOH]L[V
NL[JVU[YVSVM[OLZOPW

[HRL[OLYPZR[VKV[OH[HUKW\SSM\SSSPRLOLKPK
^P[OOHYKS`HU`YVVT[VTHUL\]LY0U[OLLUK
ZOLJHTLV0TLHUP[^HZHZ[Y\NNSLI\[
ZOLJHTLVPUH]LY`Z[H[LS`THUULY:OL
JHTLV]LY`ZSV^HUKNY\KNPUNS`:V[OH[^HZ
Q\Z[HYLHSS`L_OPSHYH[PUNTVTLU[MVYHSSVM\Z

9LNHPUPUNJVU[YVSVMH]LZZLSHM[LYHM\SSW\SS
PZU[HS^H`ZHWYVISLTLZWLJPHSS`PM[OLYLPZ
ZWHJL[VKVZV

6UJLV[OLWSH[MVYTZHUKVH[PUNPUKLLWLY
^H[LYZTL[LYZVZOVYL[OL;0;(54PJVWLYP
[LHTZH^MVY[OLYZ[[PTL[OLSPNO[H[[OLLUK
of the tunnel.

)\[5PJRVUS`OHKTL[LYZZHPK/HIPI
^OPJOPZUV[OPUN(UK`L[OLZ[PSSW\SSLKM\SS
0M0KOH]LOHKHULUNPULLYHZHZHS]HNLTHZ[LY
0KVU[[OPUR^L^V\SKOH]LJVTLV0[OPUR[OL
WYVQLJ[^V\SKOH]LMHPSLKYPNO[[OLUHUK[OLYL
It takes a guy with a lot of instinct to be able to

>LRUL^[OLU[OH[^LJV\SKIYPUN[OL
ZWVUZVUZKV^U[V[OLPYUHSWVZP[PVUZ
L_WSHPULK/HIPI>LYLHSS`MLS[]LY`JVUKLU[
[OH[^LJV\SKNL[P[[V[OLKLZPNUKYHM[HUKHSZV
tow it up to Genoa. That was really the moment
^OLU^LHSSMLS[SPRL^LOHK^VU[OLWYVQLJ[

1. The salvage team mans

the remote control room.
5PJR:SVHULHUKZL]LYHS
TLTILYZVM[OL;0;(5
4PJVWLYP[LHTOLHK
to the work site on
the morning of the
parbuckling.
3. The Costa Concordia is
YLHK`MVYYLVH[PUN

26

Raising the Costa Concordia

6]LY[OLUL_[MV\YKH`Z;0;(54PJVWLYP
KLIHSSHZ[LK[OLZWVUZVUZHUKJVUULJ[LKHUK
[LUZPVULK[OLSHZ[MV\YJOHPUZHUKZP_JHISLZ
>H[LY^HZZHTWSLKJVU[PU\V\ZS`[VTHPU[HPU
the integrity of the environment throughout
the process.
6U1\S`HM[LYTHU`KH`ZVM\W^HYK
movement by only meters at a time, it was
HUUV\UJLK[OH[[OL]LZZLSOHKILLUM\SS`
YLVH[LKHUK^HZH[OLYJVU[YHJ[\HSKYHM[
;OLUL_[TVYUPUNZOL^HZZJOLK\SLK[VIL
[V^LKH^H`MYVT.PNSPV^H[LYZMVYL]LY
;OLTVYUPUNHYYP]LK^P[OWLYMLJ[^LH[OLY
(M[LYUHSPUZWLJ[PVU[OL^YLJRZTVVYPUN
SPULZ^LYLJ\[HUKSPRLHJOHYPV[SLHKI`H

Phase Five

27

-\SS`YLVH[LK[OLCosta ConcordiaPZ[V^LKH^H`
from Giglio forever
(;0;(5ZHS]VY^H[JOLZ[OLCosta Concordia arrive at
.LUVHZ=VS[YP7VY[^OLYLP[^HZYL[\YULK[V[OLV^ULY
3. The Costa ConcordiaKVJRLKH[.LUVHZ=VS[YP7VY[

team of gleaming horses, the Costa Concordia

ILNHUP[ZUHS]V`HNL]PHHJVU]V`VMTVYL
[OHUHKVaLUZ\WWVY[]LZZLSZ;OLWHYHKL
PUJS\KLK[^V[\NIVH[Z^P[OHJVTIPULK
OVYZLWV^LYHUK[VUZVMIVSSHYKW\SSH[[OL
IV^MVY[OLO\SSHUK[^VHKKP[PVUHSH\_PSPHY`
[\NZWVZP[PVULKHM[
0OHK[OLVWWVY[\UP[`[V^H[JOP[ZHPSH^H`
ZHPK-VYYLZ[/LOHKJSPTILK[OLOPSS[V^LYPUN
V]LY[OLZP[LVM[OLHJJPKLU[HUK^HP[LKHZ[OL
ZOPWTHKLP[ZNYHUKL_P[0[^HZ]LY`LTV[PVUHS
([VULWVPU[HSSVM[OLZOPWZOVYUZ^LYLNVPUN
HUK^H[LYJHUUVUZ^LYLYPUNPU[V[OLHPY
The feeling was celebratory, especially for all
[OL^VYRLYZ

The Costa ConcordiaZMVY^HYKWYVNYLZZ^HZ

THKLH[[OLZWLLKVMHNVSMJHY[:SVHULHUK
/HIPI^LYLZVTLVM[OLML^^OVYLTHPULK
VUIVHYK[OLKPZHISLK]LZZLS[VWYV]PKLJVUZ[HU[
TVUP[VYPUNVMP[ZSPZ[IHSSHZ[PUNHUKZWLLK
HTVUNV[OLY]P[HSZ(KKP[PVUHSS`KP]LYZHUK
\UKLY^H[LY9LTV[LS`6WLYH[LK=LOPJSL96=
VWLYH[PVUZ^LYLH]HPSHISLZOV\SKHUPU[LY]LU[PVU
ILYLX\PYLKVU[OLZWVUZVUZJHISLZJOHPUZ
HUK[V^^PYLZ
;OLYZ[KH`^LOHKZVTLI\TWZHUKUVPZLZ
K\L[VPUOLYLU[MYPJ[PVUIL[^LLU[OLZWVUZVUZ
VU[OLZ[HYIVHYKZPKLHUK[OLKHTHNLKHYLHZ
of the ship. As that friction was overcome, the
^OVSLZOPW^V\SKY\TISLZHPK:SVHULVM[OL
UHSYV\NOYPKL[V.LUVH>L^LYLU[Z\YLPM

28

Raising the Costa Concordia

Costa Concordia by the Numbers

Costa Concordia was
three American football
LSKZPUSLUN[O
;OLWYVQLJ[
YLX\PYLK
LUNPULLYPUNTHU
OV\YZHUK
[V[HS^VYRLYZ

]LZZLSZHUKLPNO[IHYNLZ^LYL
PU]VS]LKPUWYVQLJ[HJ[P]P[PLZ
Z\WWVY[]LZZLSZ^LYLPU]VS]LKPU[OL
UHS[V^[V.LUVH^OPJO[VVR]L
KH`ZH[HZWLLKVMTPSLZWLYOV\Y

6]LYOV\YZVM96=]PKLV
MVV[HNLYLJVYKLK[OLZPUNSL
IPNNLZ[96=WYVQLJ[
PUOPZ[VY`

More than
KP]LZ
^LYLKLWSV`LK
[V[HSPUN
OV\YZ

the chains were failing or whether the sponsons

^LYLQ\Z[ZL[[SPUNKV^U0M[OL`TV]LK[OYLL
four inches, the whole ship shook. It kept you
VU`V\Y[VLZ
Then, on July 27, the Costa Concordia
HWWYVHJOLKP[ZUHSKLZ[PUH[PVU/HYIVYWPSV[Z
IVHYKLK[OL]LZZLSHUKVULVM[OL[V^PUN
[\NIVH[Z^HZKPZJVUULJ[LKHZHOHYIVY[\N
^HZJVUULJ[LK[VP[ZZ[LYU
(SZVIVHYKPUN[OLZOPW^HZ;OHTT^OV
ZOHYLKPUHZ[H[LTLU[!0^HU[LK[VWLYZVUHSS`
[OHUR5PJR:SVHULHUK[OL^OVSL[LHTMVY[OL
L_[YHVYKPUHY`JVTTP[TLU[[OL`OH]LHS^H`Z
KLTVUZ[YH[LK[OYV\NOV\[[OLWYVQLJ[HUK
^PZO[OLTNVVK^VYRH[[OLILNPUUPUNVMHU
PTWVY[HU[KH`VMJVTWSL_TVVYPUNVWLYH[PVUZ
(UK[OLUHM[LY]LKH`Z\UKLY[V^[OLMVYTLY
WHSHJLH[ZLHHYYP]LKPU.LUVH;OLYLP[^HZ
YL[\YULK[V[OLV^ULYZMVYUHSKPZWVZP[PVU

Over 33,000 tons

of steel, four times
[OL^LPNO[VM
[OL,PLS;V^LY
^LYL\ZLKPU[OL
construction/
fabrication of all
JVTWVULU[Z\ZLK
MVY[OLWHYI\JRSPUN
HUKYLVH[PUN
WSHUZ

;LUHNV`V\^V\SKOH]LQ\Z[J\[[OLZOPW
\W0TLHU[OLYL^HZUVV[OLYJOVPJLZHPK
:SVHULYLLJ[PUNVU[OLQVI)\[^P[O[OL
LUNPULLYPUNHUKTVKLSPUN^L^LYLHISL[V
V]LYJVTL[OLJOHSSLUNLZ
6\Y[LHTZNVHS^HZ[VHJJVTWSPZO[OLWYVQLJ[
^P[OZHML[`PUNLU\P[`HUKKL[HPSZHPK*OYPZ
7L[LYZVU;0;(5]PJLWYLZPKLU[>L[Y\S`
ILSPL]L[OH[^LOH]LKVULQ\Z[[OH[6]LY[OL
past two years, every aspect of this project was
OHUKSLK^P[O[OL\[TVZ[WYVMLZZPVUHSPZTHUKHU
PUVYKPUH[LHTV\U[VMJHSJ\SH[PVUHUKWSHUUPUN
TO SEE FOOTAGE OF THE ENTIRE
PROJECT, FROM EARLY PREPARATION
STAGES TO FINAL TOW AWAY, VISIT:
titansalvage.com/projectcomplete

;OLISPZ[LY[HURZ[Y\J[\YL
^LPNOLK[VUZ
about sevenHUKHOHSM[PTLZ
[OL^LPNO[VM[OL
:[H[\LVM3PILY[`HUK
WYV]PKLKI\V`HUJ`VM
[VUZTVYL[OHU
most small coaster
ZOPWZJHYNVJHWHJP[`

6\Y[LHTZNVHS^HZ[V
accomplish the project with
ZHML[`PUNLU\P[`HUKKL[HPS
We truly believe that we
OH]LKVULQ\Z[[OH[

Restoring Order

29

9LZ[VYPUN6YKLY

*VZ[H*YVJPLYLOHZWSLKNLK[VKV^OH[L]LYP[[HRLZ[VYLZ[VYL[OL
ZLHILK[VP[ZMVYTLYWYPZ[PULZ[H[L
*VZ[H*YVJPLYLOHZWSLKNLK[VKV^OH[L]LY
P[[HRLZ[VYLZ[VYL[OLZLHILK[VP[ZMVYTLY
pristine state.
>L^PSSKLSP]LY`V\JHUYLS`VU[OH[
ZHPK;OHTT
>OPSL\UKLY[V^KP]LYZHUKZHS]VYZILNHU
YLTV]PUN[OL[V^LYZ[Y\J[\YLZSLM[ILOPUK
;OLWPSLZ^PSSL]LU[\HSS`ILJ\[\ZO^P[O
[OLZLHILKHUKHSSKLIYPZ^PSSILYLJV]LYLK
MYVT[OLZLHILK4HYPULIPVSVNPZ[Z^PSSHSZV
carefully monitor the health of the environment,
OLSWPUN[VYLZ[VYL[OL5LW[\UL.YHZZJVYHSHUK
THYPULSPML[OH[^LYLL]HJ\H[LK:SV^S`HUK
surely, life will return to a state of normalcy for
this ecosystem.
0U[OLJVTPUNTVU[OZTHU`VM[OLZOPWZ
WHY[ZZ\JOHZLUNPULJVTWVULU[ZWS\TIPUN

Z[Y\J[\YLZHU`[OPUNLSZL[OH[Z^H[LYWYVVM^PSS
ILYLJ`JSLK,Z[PTH[LZPUKPJH[L[OH[P[^PSS[HRL
HYV\UK^VYRLYZHUK\W[V[^VHUKHOHSM
`LHYZ;OLMYVU[HUK[OLIHJR^PSSILKPZTHU[SLK
YZ[SLH]PUN[OLL_[LYUHSI\V`HUJ`Z`Z[LT
for last.
;OLQVI^PSSILKVULHJJVYKPUN[V*VZ[H
*YVJPLYL<ZPUNHTL[OVK[OH[VLYZ[OLILZ[
solution in terms of certainty of outcome,
LU]PYVUTLU[HSHUK^VYRWSHJLZHML[`Z[HUKHYKZ
PUHJJVYKHUJL^P[OUH[PVUHSHUKPU[LYUH[PVUHS
SLNPZSH[PVU

1. The Costa ConcordiaZ

HUJOVYYLZ[PUNVU[OLZLHILK
2. One of two memorials to
commemorate the lives lost
HZHYLZ\S[VM[OLPUJPKLU[

30

Raising the Costa Concordia

*VTTHUKPUN9LZWLJ[
Costa Concordia*VTTHUKZ9LZWLJ[PU4HU`>H`Z
0[ZLHZ`[VILH^LZ[Y\JR^OLUJVUZPKLYPUN[OL
ZPaLHUKZJHSLVMHZHS]HNLQVISPRL[OLCosta
Concordia)`[OLLUK[OLQVIVMYLTV]PUN[OL
^YLJRHNLYLX\PYLKTVYL[OHUZWLJPHSPZ[Z
MYVTJV\U[YPLZ^VYRPUNHYV\UK[OLJSVJR
ZL]LUKH`ZH^LLR
However, the loss of 32 people from eight
JV\U[YPLZ^OV^LYLHIVHYK[OLZOPWH[[OL[PTL
VM[OLHJJPKLU[WS\Z[OL[YHNPJSVZZVM;0;(5
KP]LY0ZYHLS4VYLUVUL]LYLZJHWLZ[OL;0;(5
team. On the one-year anniversary of the wreck,
[OL;0;(5[LHTVUZP[LVIZLY]LKHTVTLU[VM
ZPSLUJLHUKSP[SHU[LYUZPUOVUVYVM[OVZL^OV
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the Costa ConcordiaZJOHWLS

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homes to the victims.

31

Giglio
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Before the Costa Concordia^HZ[V^LKH^H`
it was a striking sight for nearly 30 months
against an otherwise tranquil blue-on-blue slice
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of them left much of an impact.
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salvage workers, mariners, engineers,
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32

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anywhere in Italy. Can we go back to how we
^LYLILMVYL&0KVU[RUV^OV^[VKV[OH[

Raising the Costa Concordia

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following the parbuckling.

The Team

33

The Team:

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to Support Project
So, what makes a company able to successfully execute a seemingly
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powerful teams in salvage anywhere in
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;OLCosta Concordia project has been
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professionals from so many countries come
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Italian engineers were some of the most out-

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the right people for the right part of the project,
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to stay on the job for two years or more.
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was able to execute nearly 40 other successful
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of it. We are the cowboys of the salvage
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like this in terms of the project management
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cowboy. But to be a great salvor, it takes a
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from the hip but you have got to be able to put
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chemists, atmospheric monitoring specialists,
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working environment.

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main. Then, when we put the ship back upright,
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were countless support teams working long
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all operational activities at the site of the wreck,
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Another critical team working in conjunction
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transportation services for equipment between
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responsible for everything from invoicing to
billing, tracking equipment costs, logging
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the biggest marine salvage project in history,
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celebrates at a Ravenna
restaurant
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at the Microperi campus
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H[HJVUZ[Y\J[PVU`HYKPU
Livorno, Italy

36

Raising the Costa Concordia

:\WWVY[PUN[OLUHUJL[LHTHIYVHKHSZV
was the network of experts working from
*YV^SL`HUK;0;(5ZKVTLZ[PJVJLZ
This international team knew no limits.
6\YZ\JJLZZPU0[HS`OPUNLKVU[OLZ[H[LZPKL
Z\WWVY[^LOHKMYVT[OL*YV^SL`UHUJL
[LHTZ[VV;OL`KPKH]LY`NVVKQVIVMTHRPUN
our requests a quick priority. They knew we
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[OH[V\YKVPUNHNVVKQVIRLW[[OL^VYRLYZHUK
]LUKVYZVUZJLUL[VKV[OLPYQVIZ
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-VYYLZ[;OH[YLX\PYLK[YLTLUKV\ZZ\WWVY[
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the personalities or what company people
came from; the commitment was there from
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:\WWVY[PUN[OLUHUJL
[LHTHIYVHKHSZV^HZ
the network of experts
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;0;(5ZKVTLZ[PJVJLZ
This international team
knew no limits.

;OL;0;(5
Micoperi team
shortly before the
parbuckling.
2. Pristine Giglio
has become well
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of the Costa
Concordia, but
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it was perhaps one
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kept secrets.

Partnering with Universit La Sapienza

37

Partnering with
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-YVT[OL]LY`ILNPUUPUN[OL;0;(5[LHTHSZVMVYTLKHJSVZL^VYRPUN
YLSH[PVUZOPW^P[O[OL+LWHY[TLU[VM,U]PYVUTLU[HS)PVSVN`H[[OL<UP]LYZP[n3H
:HWPLUaHVULVM[OLVSKLZ[LK\JH[PVUHSPUZ[P[\[PVUZPU[OL^VYSKHUK[OLLU[P[`
YLZWVUZPISLMVYLJVSVNPJHSTVUP[VYPUNK\YPUN[OLZHS]HNLVM[OLCosta Concordia.
0UMHJ[P[^HZ[OPZOPNOS`[YHPULKNYV\WSLK
I`[OL<UP]LYZP[`Z.PHUKVTLUPJV(YKPaaVUL
a full professor-emeritus in marine biology,
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[OLIPKKPUNWYVJLZZ

3. A bionomic
cartographic map
of the sea bottom
^HZWYLWHYLK[V
protect priority
habitats in the
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coral formations.

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[LHT^VYRLK^P[O;0;(54PJVWLYP[VJVUK\J[H
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environmental impact. Of particular focus was
the well-being of marine mammals, especially
KVSWOPUZ"Pinna nobilisMHUZOLSS"Posidonia
oceanica5LW[\ULNYHZZTLHKV^ZHUK
JVYHSSPNLUV\ZMVYTH[PVUZ"HUKHSSVYNHUPZTZ
JVUZPKLYLKWYV[LJ[LKI`LU]PYVUTLU[HS
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throughout the project.

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an oceanographic
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ecotoxicological,
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chemical tests
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the water column,
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the wreck to
ensure quality.

38

1. About 200 specimens of

Pinna NobilisMHUZOLSSZ
MV\UKULHY[OL^YLJR
^LYLJH[HSVN\LKHUK
[LTWVYHYPS`[YHUZMLYYLK
to another area for safe
keeping while the salvage
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.PNSPVZPosidonia
OceanicaVY5LW[\UL
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meters, forming thick
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SL]LSVMIPVKP]LYZP[`
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wreck in real time.

Raising the Costa Concordia

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communities at the very beginning of the
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the opportunity to complete the frame of the
morphologic characteristics. Plankton surveys
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mammal watching campaigns covering more
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measurements to protect marine mammals.

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When it came time to tow the vessel away, 10
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YLTV]PUN[OL^YLJRHUKWYV[LJ[PUN[OLHYLH
Z\YYV\UKPUNP[

Partnering with Universit La Sapienza

39

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]LY`OLSWM\SHUK0[OPUR^HZ]LY`WSLHZLK^P[O[OLYLZ\S[Z
;OL^H[LY^HZWYPZ[PUL
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for future marine salvage projects, as well as
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monitoring of the cleaning of the sea bottom
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the area.
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on site to monitor the
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VYHHUKMH\UH

*YV^SL`Z;0;(5:HS]HNLHUK0[HSPHUWHY[ULY4PJYVWLYP
Z\JJLZZM\SS`YLVH[LK[OLCosta Concordia in July 2014,
in preparation for towing to Genoa, Italy, for scrapping.
The ship salvage was the largest most technically
KLTHUKPUNWYVQLJ[VMP[ZRPUKPUOPZ[VY`

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