Divers have recovered three bodies from the wreck of the cruise shipCosta Concordia. Two female bodies were recovered on desk 4 near the Internet Cafe. An additional female body was recovered earlier, but was not on the list of missing registered passengers. This has made a big problem in knowing how many people are missing because no one knows how many unregistered passengers were aboard ship. One report states that the vessel that boards the vessel has their photograph taken when they go up the gangplank. An officer from the Concordia stated that the vessel kept electronic records of passengers and there was not a possibility of stowaways.
On January 24, another body was recovered by divers searching on bridge 3 making the total recovered to 16.
Oil Removal
Salvage crews report that they have been given the go-ahead to begin pumping out fuel oil, diesel and lubricants from the vessel. The 2,400 tons of fuel oil will be the highest priority. The operation is slated to begin January 24th and should take more than 4 weeks to finish. Salvors will attach steel moorings to the front of the vessel and another oil boom will be placed around the vessel to contain any pollution released.
Rescue efforts continue as hope dwindles to find anymore survivors inside the grounded cruise shipCosta Concordia. Divers used explosives to blast holes in the vessel’s hull to gain access to areas of the vessel that had not yet been searched. Rescuers pulled five bodies making the death toll to 11. All five (4 men and 1 woman) were wearing life jackets. There may be another 15 to 20 people still on board the capsized vessel as the number officially missing may be more than originally assumed.
Transcript (And Translation) between the captain of the Costa Concordia and the Italian Coast Guard (from telegraph.co.uk)
Coast guard to captain (who has already left the ship): “Hello. This is De Falco from Livorno, am I speaking with the captain?”
Captain to Coast Guard: “Yes, good evening Captain De Falco.”
Coast Guard: “This is De Falco from Livorno, am I speaking with the captain? Please tell me your name.”
Captain: “This is captain Schettino.”
Coast Guard: “Schettino? Listen Schettino, there are people trapped on board. Now you need to go on your life boat, under the bow of the ship on the side. There is a ladder. You need to climb up the ladder and board the ship. Get on board and report to me how many people there are. Is that clear? I am recording this conversation, captain Schettino.”
Captain: “Captain, let me tell you one thing…”
Coast Guard: “Speak up!”
Captain: “The ship, at this moment…”
Coast Guard: “Captain, speak up! Shield the microphone with your hand and speak louder, clear?”
Captain: “At this moment the ship is tilted.”
Coast Guard: “I understand. Listen, there are people who are coming down the ladder on the bow. Go back in the opposite direction, get back on the ship, and tell me how many people there are and what they have on board. Clear? Tell me if there are children, women and what kind of help they need. And you tell me the number of each of these categories. Is that clear? Look, Schettino, perhaps you have saved yourself from the sea but I will make you look very bad. I will make you pay for this. Dammit!”
Captain: “Captain, please…”
Coast Guard: “There is no please about it. Go back on board. Assure me you are going back on board!”
Captain: “I am in the life boat, under the ship, I haven’t gone anywhere, I’m here.”
Coast Guard: “What are you doing?”
Captain: “I am coordinating…”
Coast Guard: “What are you coordinating there? Get on board the ship and coordinate the rescue on board. Are you refusing?”
Captain: “No, no I am not refusing.”
Coast Guard: “Are you refusing to go on board? Tell me the reason why you are not going.”
Captain: “I am not going because there is another life boat that has stopped.”
Coast Guard: “You get on board. This is an order. You need to continue the rescue. You called the evacuation, now I am in charge. You need to go on board the ship, is that clear?”
Captain: “Captain.”
Coast Guard: “Can you hear me?”
Captain: “I am going.”
Coast Guard: “Go. Call me when you are on board. My air rescue team is there. He is at the bow. Get going. There are already corpses Schettino. Move!”
Captain: “How many dead are there?”
Coast Guard: “I don’t know. One I am aware of. One I’ve heard of. You need to be telling me this. Christ!”
Captain: “But you are aware it is dark and we can’t see anything?”
Coast Guard: “And what do you want? To go back home, Schettino? It’s dark and you want to go back home? Get on the bow of the ship and tell me what can be done, how many people there are and what do they need. Now!”
Captain: “I am here with the second commander.”
Coast Guard: “Excuse me?”
Captain: “I am here with the second commander his name is…”
Coast Guard: “So both of you, get on board, both of you. What is the name of the second?”
Captain: “Dimitry.”
Coast Guard: “Dimitry who?”
Captain: “Dimitry.. ” (Unclear)
Coast Guard: “You and your second commander, go and get on board now. Is that clear?”
Captain: “Captain, I want to get on board the ship but the other life boat has stopped its engine and it is drifting and I called other rescuers.”
Coast Guard: “It’s already one hour you are telling me this. Now, get on board. Get on board! And you tell me how many people there are.”
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.
