Recovery of Costa Concordia

Navimeteo assists in costa concordia disaster

Senior weather forecasters working with Navimeteo provided their assistance to the Marine Operations Group and Maritime Authorities for the tow operation of the Costa Concordia wreck. On 13 January 2012 at 21:45, Costa Concordia struck a rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the eastern shore of Isola del Giglio. This tore open a 50 m (160 ft) gash on the port side of her hull, which soon flooded parts of the engine room, cutting power from the engines and ship services. With water flooding in and the ship listing, she drifted back towards the island and grounded near shore, then rolled onto her starboard side, lying in an unsteady position on a rocky underwater ledge.

On 14 July 2014, work commenced to re-float Costa Concordia in preparation for towing. At this point, the costs had risen to €1 billion, but including tow cost, the estimated final cost was expected to be €1.5 billion. On 23 July 2014, having been re-floated, the ship commenced its final journey under tow at a speed of 2 knots with a 14-ship escort, to be scrapped in Genoa. It arrived at port on 27 July 2014, after a four-day journey. On 11 May 2015, following initial dismantling, but still kept afloat by the salvage sponsons, the hull was towed 10 miles (16 km) to the Superbacino dock in Genoa for removal of the upper decks

Navimeteo provided forecast support to determine the best day to commence with the tow operation of 11 May 2015. Our senior forecasters provided detailed recommendations supporting the 11th and 12th of May when the weather conditions were excellent. The work went ahead under conditions that maximised the efficiency of the task and protected the safety of the workers. The tow was completed safely without any weather issues.