COSTA CONCORDIA (AN ITALIAN CRUISE SHIP) FROM RISE TO FALL.

Costa Concordia was an Italian cruise ship that gained transnational attention due to its woeful sinking on January 13, 2012. After the ruinous event that left numerous lives lost and raised many questions about maritime safety and the liabilities of cruise ship operators around the world, this devastating event led to the loss of numerous lives.

The Concordia was supposed to take passengers on a seven-day Italian passage from Civitavecchia to Savona. But when it deviated from its planned path to sail near the Islet of Giglio, the boat struck a reef known as the Scole Rock.

The Costa Concordia, possessed by Costa Sails, was erected in 2004. With a length of 290 meters and a maximum capacity of 3,780 passengers and crew members, it was one of the largest cruise ships in the world at the time. It was a true honor to be able to embark on board the Costa Concordia and to be immersed in an experience of  continuance.

Passengers were not only treated to luxurious amenities but also had the occasion to indulge in exquisite dining options, enjoy state-of-the-art entertainment installations, and relax in opulent staterooms that offered unequal comfort.

Amenities To Be Enjoyed At The Cruise

Costa Concordia was equipped with roughly 1,500 cabins: 505 with private sundeck and 55 with direct access to the Samsara Spa, which were considered gym staterooms; 58 suites had private sundecks; and 12 had direct access to the gym. The ship had one of the world’s largest exercise installation areas at sea, the Samsara Spa, a two-level, 6,000 m² (64,600 sq ft) fitness center with a spa, a thalassotherapy pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a sunporch. Entertainment options include a three-position theater, a casino, a futuristic disco, a children’s area equipped with videotape, and a basketball court. She also had abroad a Grand Prix motor racing simulator and an internet cafe. The ship contains four swimming pools, two with retractable roofs, five Jacuzzis, five gyms, and a poolside movie theatre on the main pool sundeck. There were also five on-board cafes, with Club Concordia and Samsara taking reservations only for dining. There were thirteen bars, including a cigar and cognac bar and a coffee and chocolate bar.

THE FATEFUL NIGHT

On the fateful night of January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia was sailing near the graphic Tuscan islet of Giglio. It was during this ill-fated voyage that the ship tragically struck a submerged rock, ever changing its course. The impact was so powerful that it tore a 70-meter-long incision in the ship’s hull, causing it to fleetly take on water. The captain, Francesco Schettino, made a grave mistake by swinging from the planned route in an attempt to perform a daring “salutation” initiative.

His aim was to impress passengers and bystanders with a closer view of the island’s mesmerizing beauty, but little did he know that this decision would lead to such a disastrous outgrowth.

As the ship started tilting to one side, chaos replaced it, creating a scene of sheer fear and confusion among crew members and passengers. Everyone on board suddenly set themselves up, facing a life-threatening situation. Hopeless to void, they had to overcome numerous obstacles and challenges. Unfortunately, they were met with a lack of clear instructions and malfunctioning safety equipment, which only added to their formerly inviting fear. Despite the valiant efforts of the ship’s crew and the Italian Coast Guard, the deliverance operation was oppresively hampered by the unfaithful conditions and the ship’s increasing tilt. This resulted in the rescue of everyone on board getting extremely delicate and dangerous, because it was nearly as if they were in danger as a result of this. It was a befitting discipline that aimed to bring solace to the grieving families.

RESCUE OPERATION

The tragic incident resulted in the devastating loss of 32 lives. Families and loved ones were left shattered, mourning the unimaginable. The aftermath of the sinking saw search and rescue operations continue for several days. Brave divers worked tirelessly to retrieve the bodies from the wreckage, highlighting the magnitude of this tragedy. It also brought to light the glaring inadequacies in safety measures and emergency response protocols that were in place on the ill-fated Costa Concordia. The incident sparked a collective call for change and accountability, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and better safety standards in the cruise ship industry.

The sinking of the Costa Concordia, a catastrophic event that occurred over nine years ago, continues to be a somber reminder of the dangers that can befall even the most glamorous and luxurious of cruise ships.

The impact of this tragedy reverberated far beyond the shores of Giglio, sparking a global conversation about the safety regulations and responsibilities that cruise ship operators must uphold. The incident served as a wake-up call for the entire industry, forcing a re-evaluation of emergency response protocols and the implementation of stricter safety measures. It is a poignant reminder that the allure of a grand experience at sea must never come at the expense of passenger safety.

The sinking of the Costa Concordia sparked a series of legal proceedings against the captain and other crew members, as justice needed to be served for the lives lost and the catastrophic consequences of their actions. Francesco Schettino, the man at the helm during the tragedy, was ultimately found guilty of multiple charges, including manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and abandoning the ship before all passengers were safely evacuated. The court, recognizing the magnitude of his negligence and the devastating consequences it brought upon so many, handed him a sentence of 16 years in prison. He was given 10 years of multiple manslaughters, 5 years for causing a shipwreck, and 1 year for abandoning the passengers at the time the sinking and ensure such a tragedy would never be repeated.

THE SALVAGE OPERATION

It was an extremely complex and challenging operation to remove the wreckage of the Costa Concordia, and it required a great deal of skill and expertise to accomplish. A Salvage expert company “Smit International” calculated that the dismantling of the ship and 2,380 tonnes of fuel could take up to 10 months.

The company got the initial contract of removing the fuel, during the fuel removal operation,

 they announced that the ship had shifted 60 cm (24 in) in the three weeks since her grounding. Removal of fuel from various fuel tanks that was distributed throughout the ship got completed in March 2012.

Costa Concordia was brought to a vertical position buttoned-up with a process called “PARTBUCKING”. Salvaging cost increased to 100 million Euros.

The company TITAN SALVAGE was handling the salvage operation and completed by early-to-mid-2014. It took two and a half years to meticulously refloat the ship and tow it to the port of Genoa. Refloated on July 23, the ship set out on its last voyage to be scraped in Genoa, travelling under tow speed of 2 knots ( 4 km/h; 2mph) and escorted by 14 other ships. After travelling for four days, it reached the port on July 27. It was waiting to be dismantled at the port, where it was tied to a seawall, where it was carefully dismantled, piece by piece.

This monumental salvage operation came at an exorbitant cost, surpassing 1.5 billion Euros, making it one of the most expensive and technically demanding salvage operations in the annals of maritime history.

It was clear from the moment the Costa Concordia was sunk that it had far-reaching ramifications, as it had a profound impact on the cruise industry in general. It served as a wake-up call, prompting a thorough re-assessment of safety regulations and emergency procedures. Stricter measures were implemented, and crew members underwent enhanced training to ensure the utmost preparedness in the face of potential emergencies.

 Also, the incident underlined the critical significance of better collaboration and communication between cruise operators and original authorities during emergency situations, emphasizing the need for a unified response to insure the safety and well-being of all those on board.

THE CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the sinking of the Costa Concordia was a woeful event that exposed the vulnerabilities and failings of the cruise industry. It served as a wake-up call, egging the perpetration of stricter safety measures to prevent similar disasters in the future. As it is likely to be remembered forever, the incident will serve as a stark memorial of the significance of maritime safety and how it will be necessary to conduct responsible and responsible conduct on board cruise ships in the future.

THE ICONS OF COASTA CONCORDIA RESCUE OPERATION.

Manrico Giampedroni, a 57-year-old ship’s purser, helped load passengers into lifeboats but fell and broke a leg. Tomas Alberto Costilla Mendoza, a 50-year-old Peruvian cleaning administrator, died from hypothermia. Michele Ghani and Sandor Feher, children’s entertainers, helped return 23 children to their families after a show.

Giuseppe Girlamo, a drummer on a missing ship, gave up his lifeboat seat to a child. Gabriele Grube, a German passenger, demanded 3 wheelchair-bound passengers take her place. Francis Servel, a retired French retiree, saved his wife Nicole, who couldn’t swim, by jumping off the ship.