# Any chance they can get the grounded Italian ship back upright? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541 "2012-01-14T23:02:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/201 "2013-09-18T08:41:51Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Yeah, that’s what they said, but there was some (understandable) concern that the side lifting off the bottom might dislodge them and cause them to float out. They had people standing by for that (as well as other debris that loosened). Not really very likely. There’s probably nothing left except some bones, and those won’t ‘float’. After all, these bodies have been underwater for almost 2 years now. Bodies decompose faster in water than when buried inside a coffin. Plus the fish & other sea creatures have had all that time to feed on those bodies. I doubt there’s much left. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/202 "2013-09-18T09:55:14Z")
RE: ONE billion dollars. The guy who does this salvage probably checked out the insurance companies fanancial position and thought 'yeah they can probably afford to pay a billion … " So thats what he puts in his quote … one billion dollars. "but you have to use me for this salvage, I am the best in the world and you promised the government that you would use the best in the world ! "… ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/203 "2013-09-18T11:18:26Z")
This operation will cost a pretty penny for reinsurance companies all over the World. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/204 "2013-09-18T15:40:50Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > See the whole maneuver compressed into two minutes: [http://tv.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/nyheter/article19038.ab](http://tv.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/nyheter/article19038.ab)… Here it is in 49 seconds, also without sound: [http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2013/09/17/concordia-timelapse.&hpt=hp\_c4&from\_homepage=yes#/video/world/2013/09/17/concordia-timelapse](http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2013/09/17/concordia-timelapse.&hpt=hp_c4&from_homepage=yes#/video/world/2013/09/17/concordia-timelapse). Definitely seemed to gain some momentum at the end there. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/205 "2013-09-18T20:09:29Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > This operation will cost a pretty penny for reinsurance companies all over the World. Probably costs less than NOT doing anything – just leaving the wrecked ship there to deteriorate. The economy of that area is mainly dependent on 2 industries: tourism & fishing. Had they just left the wrect there to eventually fall apart, and leak all the sewage, rotted food, fuel oil, etc. into the ocean, it would have damaged both of those industries. To say nothing of the navigational hazard of the wreck itself. But this way, those costs are avoided, re-usable parts of the ship will be recovered, and the steel of the vessel itself will be recycled. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/206 "2013-09-18T20:13:36Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > But this way, those costs are avoided, re-usable parts of the ship will be recovered, and the steel of the vessel itself will be recycled. There will also be lost of coins to be found under couch cushions. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/207 "2013-09-18T20:24:41Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > There will also be lost of coins to be found under couch cushions. > 🙂 As I understand it, most things on these cruise ships are paid for by charging it to your room (rather like services in a large hotel). So the passengers probably do not have pockets full of coins. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/208 "2013-09-18T20:28:54Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > As I understand it, most things on these cruise ships are paid for by charging it to your room (rather like services in a large hotel). So the passengers probably do not have pockets full of coins. Curses! Foiled again! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/209 "2013-09-19T01:18:01Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Probably costs less than NOT doing anything – just leaving the wrecked ship there to deteriorate. > > The economy of that area is mainly dependent on 2 industries: tourism & fishing… Although, ironically enough, lots of people have come to town in what would otherwise have been the off-season just to see the wreck. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/210 "2013-09-19T01:55:34Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Although, ironically enough, lots of people have come to town in what would otherwise have been the off-season just to see the wreck. Plus the hundreds of engineers, divers, & others who were doing the work to re-float the wreck – they all need places to eat & sleep. The prices on that island probably went up quite a bit during this time – certainly not usual off-season discounts. Now that the ship is upright, maybe those workers could move into it? The rooms on the upper decks of the port side were never underwater – they might make nice living quarters. Certainly handy to the jobsite! But they’d have to get electrical & plumbing working, I suppose, ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/211 "2013-09-19T15:42:16Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Curses! > Foiled again! Well, that plan failed. Put the ship back on the reef! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/212 "2013-09-19T17:34:26Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > …Now that the ship is upright, maybe those workers could move into it? > The rooms on the upper decks of the port side were never underwater – they might make nice living quarters. Certainly handy to the jobsite! But they’d have to get electrical & plumbing working, I suppose, Not a bad idea. And could they get Wi-Fi? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/213 "2014-02-27T21:04:57Z")
The former captain has briefly gone back aboard: [http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/27/world/europe/italy-costa-concordia/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2](http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/27/world/europe/italy-costa-concordia/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/214 "2014-02-27T21:07:15Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > The former captain has briefly gone back aboard: [http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/27/world/europe/italy-costa-concordia/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2](http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/27/world/europe/italy-costa-concordia/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) I’m somewhat surprised it didn’t topple over again. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/215 "2014-07-12T18:27:14Z")
maybe soon How Engineers Will Make the Costa Concordia Float Once Again > **[How Engineers Will Make the Costa Concordia Float Once Again](https://www.wired.com/2014/07/costa-concordia-removal/)** > > Before they can tow the wrecked cruise liner to Genoa, engineers have to make it float again. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/216 "2014-07-12T23:24:42Z")
Very interesting - thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/217 "2014-07-14T18:59:16Z")
Looks like she’s afloat again: [http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/14/world/europe/costa-concordia-salvage/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2](http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/14/world/europe/costa-concordia-salvage/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/218 "2014-11-03T19:10:17Z")
The last body has now been recovered - thought to be an Indian waiter: [Italy: Brother Identifies Corpse Found in Costa Concordia Wreck as Russel Rebello](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/italy-corpse-found-costa-concordia-wreck-assumed-be-russel-rebello-n239981) ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/219 "2014-11-04T13:14:11Z")
I read in another article that the body had Russel Rebello’s ID tag on it, so it’s pretty certain to be him. Months ago, I read that workers scrapping the ship found a skull and some bone fragments, and there was some question about if it was Maria Trecarichi or Russel Rebello. I never heard more about it. Now I guess the bones must have belonged to the lady. ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541/220 "2014-11-04T15:26:01Z")
I was in Genoa this summer, not specifically to see the wreck, but we realized after the fact that it was docked in the industrial part of the waters. Took out the zoom lens, walked down there but was unable to really get close enough for a non-cropped shot. The size of the ship was what really blew me away, even as far away as we were. We noticed that it was pretty much only foreigners who’d stop their cars and look. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-they-can-get-the-grounded-italian-ship-back-upright/609541.md?page=12)