Crews Finish Removing Fuel from the Shipwrecked COSTA CONCORDIA

Italian authorities recently announced that efforts to remove fuel from the shipwrecked COSTA CONCORDIA concluded on March 24. Reportedly, crews drained more than 2,000 tons of fuel and sewage from the capsized ship. There have been no reports of significant pollution at the wreckage site or in the pristine waters surrounding it.

Even though fuel removal efforts are now complete, the ship itself still needs to be removed from where it sits off the coast of Italy near the island of Giglio. According to media reports, Costa Cruises has said that after a salvage company is selected, it could take 10 months to a year for the ship removal process to be completed. Reportedly, proposals from six salvage companies are currently being reviewed by Costa Cruises, the shipbuilding company Fincantieri, maritime authorities and government representatives from Giglio. A decision is expected by mid-April.

In the meantime, the ill-fated COSTA CONCORDIA will remain where it sits, a sad reminder of the lives lost during the fateful events on January 13, 2012. After Captain Francesco Schettino admittedly sailed the ship too close to land, the COSTA CONCORDIA struck a reef and capsized with 4,200 people on board. This tragic cruise ship accident claimed the lives of at least 30 passengers and crewmembers. Two people remain missing and are presumed dead.

Victims of the COSTA CONCORDIA  disaster have a limited window of time to file claims against Costa Cruises and its parent corporation Carnival Cruise Lines. Were you a passenger on the COSTA CONCORDIA? Has your loved one been confirmed dead or missing? Contact a Boston maritime attorney today to learn about your legal rights — before it’s too late to take action.

Latti & Anderson LLP –Boston maritime trial lawyers