E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSAuthorities must decide what to do with the stricken 115,000 ton cruise ship. NBC's Mark Potter reports.
How do you move a massive cruise ship that is currently lying on its side off Italy's Giglio Island?
The Costa Concordia, where rescue operations were suspended for divers' safety Wednesday after the ship slipped on the rocks, poses a challenge for salvagers.
But NBC News' Mark Potter reports on how it might be done.
Leave a Comment:
STOP that fuel leak. It can be done...just do it !
nice suggestion alumette. and it could be a nice tourist stop too. specially if the ship slips little inward then you can even dive there.
Inflatable heavy duty massive high tonnage lift bags, much like in the nature of the ones they use to right overturned tractor trailers. Then you shore up under the elevated side, back bracing the opposite side as you go, time it with the high tides. There is already spillage so it should help slide it on the rocks as massive push and tug boats, and sea going frigates apply heavy tow lines and back her on up? They haul huge massive awesomely gargantuan barges all the way across the oceans, they can surely pull this girl out as long as she isn't impaled. If so, then as NetPoison suggested, drive sea posts deep into the bed to steady her and make a huge sea park out of it like the Queen Elizabeth. Whats the old adage, out of every great tragedy come a lesson or good to "someone".
Not to lighten the tragedy though of the people who lost their lives and loved ones. I hope they put the skipper in prison for the rest of his no longer sea fairing days.
Since you seem to know what you're talking about righting ships, do you have any idea if the cruise line can declare General Average and charge the passengers, tour companies, etc., for the damage?
For readers' benefit, General Average for the laymen: if a cargo ship goes down or incurs damage, and you have cargo aboard, YOU get to pay for the repairs, even if they've thrown your container overboard to save the vessel.
Great history of maritime disasters at www.cargolaw.com. Best maritime law firm on the planet.
Some underwater welding, pump out the h2o, out with the oil/fuel, some industry standard air bladders, adn she'll be towed to dry dock to be repaired. If she goes down, they'll bring her up. I mean the water is 200' in that area right? Not the hardest salvage job, the scale due to her near 1,000' is daunting.
re'how it might be done"..oooooK.. so where is the report??.. eh??..having worked with large weights and heavy lift, this interests me and I dare say some?? others,..this could be a fine example of how talent, real! talent, global, could be put to work via the net on a solution and the action,,hey, we did it with that oil rig,[sometimes when you are in the middle of these things? it can be difficult to see overall solutions due to immediate concerns??]..lots of brains out there,,just please do use the KISS principle,,any real sailor will tell you this this is the way to go,..looks like 50 degree roll/ lift/support,patch/ pumps, then towing??.. no??
If the Italian Navy is in charge, you can begin making plans for a new reef off of Gilio named Concordia!