I was just watching the news tonight on the Italian television (RAI International), and they were talking about the Concordia Disaster that happened off the coast of Giglio, Tuscany.  

Dangerous Work

We really have to take our hats off to the folks that are assisting in the recovery efforts.  They are risking their lives to look for survivors.   The waters are cold and dark.  They have to deal with all the chemicals, debris, etc. from the ship.  The rescuers can not even see their hand in front of their face.  In addition, the ship has recently moved about a meter and a half (4.5 feet).  They showed that it is wedged on a type of sandbar on the floor of the sea, and they are afraid that the sandbar could give, and that the whole ship could end up submerged.  Think of the environmental consequences of such an event, if that should occur.  

How to get the ship out of the water

RAI television news showed a scenario on how they can get the ship out of the water.  They showed gigantic balloons that would prop the ship up on the submerged side, and then have it towed back into port.

It's ironic, in my earlier post, Italy in Review 2011, I posted about the challenges that Italy went through last year with natural disasters, etc.  And now they have another unfortunate circumstance to overcome.

As of right now, the number missing from a Yahoo! report is at 29, and the Captain of the ship is under house arrest.  

Let's take time to pray for the families of those that may have lost a loved one.  And also let's take this time out to thank all the people that help the general public that risk their lives everyday such as firemen, policemen, emergency workers, those that serve our military, etc.