For the first time since two and a half years has wrecked “Costa Concordia” back water under the keel. Technicians have the huge wreck successfully lifted and dragged about 30 meters to the sea.

There were only two meters to the “Costa Concordia” was raised – but the effect is a resounding: The cruise ship floating again, and for the first time since it ran on a rock two and a half years ago, capsized and partially sank.

International experts arrived on the Monday before the Italian island of Giglio with the last phase of the unprecedented Retrieval project is progressing well. They lifted the wrecked ship and finally dragged it about 30 meters out to sea. There is to be secured and prepared for shipment to the Genoa “Costa Concordia”. The is scheduled for Monday of next week.

“We did a very important step for the entire action,” said the Italian engineer Franco Porcellacchia, project manager for the company Costa Crociere. “The ship floats on its own, which was anything but predictable., We are extremely satisfied.”

Retrieval ago Giglio:Air-filled tanks give a needed boost

On Monday the ship was released from the platforms that had supported it for months. In the coming days the 30 caissons made ​​of steel to be placed on the sides of the ship in position before they are filled with compressed air and give the cruise liner as the necessary lift for transport. “The empty tank then rise and bring the ship with” Porcellacchia said.

Throughout the week the ship is raised further. The recovery has cost the company around 1.5 billion euros. In Genoa, the disabled vessel to be scrapped, two years are planned for this.

The “Costa Concordia” was rammed in January 2012 in front of Giglio a rock and capsized. On board during the accident more than 4000 people. In the night, there were chaotic evacuation scenes as well as numerous problems and delays. 32 people died, the body of an Italian woman is still missing.

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