Re-floating top 'risk' in Concordia liner salvage operation

Director says remainder of trip to Genoa uncomplicated

(ANSA) - Giglio, July 2 - The main risk in moving the Costa Concordia from Giglio Island to Genoa for salvaging will be during the first day of refloating the cruise liner, Nick Sloane, director of the salvage operation, said Wednesday. "Whether the convoy passes north or south of Giglio Island makes no difference," he added, "we probably will choose the route the day before leaving, according to the weather and sea conditions".

The Concordia slammed into a reef off the island of Giglio in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people. "The real risk? The re-floating. But only the first day. The rest doesn't worry me," said Sloane, who is working with the Titan Micoperi salvage team. The "definitive" decision to begin re-floating will be taken by the "commander of the leading tug in the convoy after listening to my opinion as senior salvage master," he added.

"Based on my experience there are no great risks to take the Concordia to Genoa by sea. Not in this period. July and August are the best months. It would have been different in January or February. "The weather and sea conditions then are more complicated and the risks would be increased. Now no, the greater risks are of other kinds. "The"most critical phase is the initial one, starting the refloating. We can expect a couple of difficult days. The first day will be the most complicated when we have to refloat the wreck for the first time, lifting the ship for the first two metres. We will be on board to follow all the operations". "That is the moment that worries me most also because it is an operation that has never been attempted before. Once that obstacle is overcome, however, the voyage will not present any special complications," Sloane said.