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Costa Concordia Update

Costa Concordia Update

 

Three Survivors Found

Firefighters continue to search the cruise ship for survivors as air runs out  for those trapped on board.  A couple from South Korea on their honeymoon were found alive.   They were on deck 8 when they found the emergency exits blocked.   They  spent the night screaming to attraction attention in the cold and dark.  Rescuers reported they were in good shape and they stated they will be plan a “second” honeymoon, but they will not be doing a cruise again.

The head purser was also rescued.  As he was helping people reach the lifeboats, he decided to check the dining room on deck 3 to see if anyone had been left behind.   In the dining room he slipped and fell breaking his leg.  He laid there until rescuers were able to winch him out of the vessel.  He was reported in good condition and be treated at hospital.

Two Bodies Recovered, 17 Missing

Two men who did not survive were found by Coast Guard divers.  The two men were in the starboard-aft section on the area designated as the “third bridge”.  The two elderly men had life vests on and were found near their designated collection point.  This leaves some 11 passengers and 6 crew still missing.   Some passengers have been found or had already left the vessel prior to the sailing to the Island of Giglio.

Salvage Firm Hired

The salvage company Smit has been contracted to remove the fuel off the Costa Concordia.  The company has stated they will begin pumping operations after search and recovery is completed.  It will take more than two weeks to pump the 2400 tons of fuel off the vessel.



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Costa Concordia

Costa Concordia

Photos: repubblica.it

Authorities have warn that the passenger ship Costa Concordia may be at risk of releasing oil into the water.  The vessel had some 2830 tons of fuel oil on board.  There is some concern that the vessel may slide off the rocks and sink into deeper water before the oil could be removed.


 

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Costa Concordia

Costa Concordia

 

The 291 meter long, 10000 dwt passenger ship Costa Concordia went aground off the island of Giglio, Italy.   The cruise ship, loaded with more than 4,234 passengers and crew, struck a rock on the seafloor tearing a 160 foot gash along the port hull.   The vessel suffered severe ingress of water near the engine room causing the Concordia to lose power.   The water continued to flood the vessel causing it to list over to  starboard.   Many passengers were thrown overboard while others found themselves trapped in the dark inside their cabins.   Passengers report that the evacuation was unorganized and chaos as they searched their way through the vessel to lifeboats.   The vessel continued to list to starboard making it impossible to reach or launch lifeboats.  Fortunately, the vessel was close to shore and the sea was calm.  Initial reports state 3 people died (2 passengers, 1 crewman) with another 40 injured.   However, there are some 50 to 70 people reported as missing.   Divers will proceed into the vessel to check for any additional survivors and recover any bodies.  Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are looking at possible criminal charges against the officers and owners of the Concordia.

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