Work started early this morning on Giglio Island to install platform no. 1, the biggest subsea base which, with the other 5 subsea platforms, will provide a safe supporting structure for the Costa Concordia wreck after it is rotated into a vertical position (“parbuckling”, as this is known).

At 6 o’clock this morning, the ship Svenja began the approach of barge Micourier with the tug Bucaneer. After cutting the sea fastenings, at about 8.30am work began to position the Svenja’s two big cranes, which will lift the platform and position it as planned.

The operation should be completed late this afternoon.

Platform no. 1, which was built at the Rosetti shipyard in Marina di Ravenna and weighs about 1,000 tonnes, measures 40m by 33m, is 22m in height and is supported by 5 big pillars (almost 2m in diameter) secured to the granite seabed.

Three small platforms have so far been positioned and secured in place on the seabed, on the offshore side of the wreck near the ship’s stern. Work continues relentlessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Press Release , April 03, 2013