The $30 million contract to remove the forlorn and sea ravaged Costa Concordia from her resting place off the Island of Giglio continues apace with the world’s largest semi-submersible ship earmarked to lift the wreck in one piece, as mentioned in the previous issue. The Boskalis owned 91,784gt and 2013 built Dockwise Vanguard is being considered as an option for removing the wreck from the Italian island of Giglio when she is floated in 2014.

Nothing definite is confirmed as yet but this vessel is a strong contender to take the once proud cruise ship to her final resting place. The Concordia has been upright since 17th September. When the ballast tanks are flooded, the Dockwise Vanguard’s deck submerges below the surface, allowing her to handle deep-draught cargoes. Once the Dockwise Vanguard is semi-submerged, a floating Costa Concordia could be brought into position above the deck and, as the ballast tanks are emptied, the entire ship can be brought above the water line, allowing her to transport the cargo to an as yet undetermined port of destination.

The floating platform would permit the ship to be floated off or removed on to dry land at a suitable quayside. For now, the ship is being surveyed along her severely damaged starboard side to assess damage before the necessary structural repairs proceed. It will then be possible to position the last four sponsons on the port side and the additional 15 on the starboard side to reach the total of 30 that will be needed for the refloating phase. The dead ship is also being stabilised where she lies to allow her to endure the winter weather on the platform upon which she rests.

The winterization precautions consist of the positioning of an additional hold-back system to avoid movements of the bow, installation of removable grout bags in the area between the wreck and the rocks on the landward side and the positioning of tubular structures that will connect the underwater platforms to the wreck itself.