PE response expert in cruise operation

WATCHED by almost 2500 journalists, the crew salvaging Italian cruise liner Costa Concordia yesterday began work on righting the ship. And Port Elizabeth businessman Kevin Kelly was there among them, viewing the latest development.

Kelly, owner of environmental spill response company Xtreme Projects, earlier secured a contract as part of the R3.2-billion project to salvage the luxury liner which ran aground off the Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio last year.

He has been working for more than a year with another South African, Captain Nick Sloane, the senior salvage expert and project leader for contractors Titan Salvage.

Xtreme Projects supplied non-flammable and oil- resistant marine booms designed to contain any oil or other spillage, which in this case could include rotten debris.