Costa Concordia defueling operation continues

The Concordia Emergency Commissioner’s Office and Costa Crociere report that the pumping of fuel from the cruise ship Costa Concordia has been continuing around the clock since 5 p.m. Feb. 12, in accordance with a plan devised by the Neri/Smit Salvage team. From the time defueling began until 7 a.m. Feb. 17, a total of 952 cubic metres (251,492 gallons) of fuel have been pumped out of four tanks located in the forward part of the ship. A total of 1,428 cubic metres (377,237 gallons) of fuel is still to be removed from 13 tanks, of which 576 cubic metres (152,163 gallons) is located in the forward part of the ship. According to the schedule drawn up by the Neri/Smit Salvage experts, if sea and weather conditions remain favourable, all of the fuel still on board the ship should be extracted within three weeks if operations can continue 24 hours per day.