The raising of the Costa Concordia

Once again the Costa Concordia is making headlines as salvage operations commence at the wreck site off the coast of the island of Giglio, Italy. The ship is actually being raised by adopting a new technique, known as parbuckling, which has never happened before considering a ship of this size.

According to the project's own website, the technique involves:

• Stabilizing the ship
• Preparing a false bottom under the ship
• Fixing watertight boxes or caissons to the side of the ship that is above water. 
• After this, undersea platforms will be built where the ship will rest after rotation.

The rotating or “parbuckling” aspect of the technique may take days as its a complex and delicate undertaking. We understand that cranes will be used to pull the ship upright (helped by the caissons). Moreover, when the ship is finally upright, more caissons will be fitted, this time to the other side to stabilize the wreck further.

To complete the procedure, a pneumatic type system then will push the ship upwards, at which time the caissons will be emptied of water and whats left of the ship will re-floated and towed to port.

The project's website also states that operation to remove the Costa Concordia was as much as 73% complete at the beginning of August 2013. It wil be some feat if they actually manage it!