“Insurance Term “Constructive Total Loss” time-lapse footage shot by an Associated Press photographer shows the wreckage of the Costa Concordia cruise ship being pulled completely upright onto an underwater platform during a complicated, 19-hour operation.
On January 13, 2012, Costa Concordia struck a rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the eastern shore of Isola del Giglio, on the western coast of Italy about 62 miles northwest of Rome. The crash caused a 160-foot gash on the port (left) side of the hull, which almost immediately flooded parts of the engine room and caused loss of power to propulsion and electrical systems.
Thirty people were killed, and two more passengers were missing and presumed dead. On the Costa Concordia, there were 3,229 passengers and 1,023 crew members known to have been aboard. Firefighters rescued 60 people who were trapped in the boat, and 100 people from the water. Three people drowned in the water. Five helicopters from the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force wre involved in the rescue operation of airlifting survivors still aboard and ferrying them to safety.
Fuel and oil was extracted safely by March 24, 2012.
The crash site and wreckage is a crime scene. Captain Schettino, who had worked for Costa Cruises for 11 years, and First Officer Ciro Ambrosio, were arrested. The captain was detained on suspicion of manslaughter and for violations of the Italian Penal Code and Code of Navigation on three specifications: (1) having caused the shipwreck “owing to … imprudence, negligence and incompetence” resulting in deaths; (2) abandoning ship of about 300 people “unable to fend for themselves”; and (3) “not having been the last to leave” a shipwreck. Schettino and Ambrosio were questioned on January 14, 2012.
On July 20, 2013, five people were found guilty of manslaughter, negligence and shipwreck: Roberto Ferrarini, Costa Cruises Group crisis director received the longest sentence at 2 years 10 months, followed by Manrico Giampedroni, the cabin service director, received two and a half years. Three crew members, first officer Ciro Ambrosio, helmsman Jacob Rusli Bin and third officer Silvia Coronica received sentences between one and two years.
In a separate trial for Captain Francesco Schettino, he is seeking a plea bargain agreement for charges of manslaughter and causing the loss of the ship.
The next stage of recovery is to assess and repair damage to the vessel before it will be towed away to an Italian dock where it will be scrapped. The tow is not expected until Spring 2014.
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