Costa Concordia removal plans proceeding

ROME, June 25 (UPI) -- The Costa Concordia, the cruise liner that partially sank off the coast of Italy killing 32 people in January 2012, could be removed by September.

The ship remains marooned on a rock formation off the Tuscan island of Giglio where it ran ashore after Capt. Francesco Schettino made a close pass to salute locals on the island. The boat hit a rock formation and listed before it partially sank.

It has remained in that location since the incident but Italian officials say they're optimistic the ship will finally be removed after extensive reviews and planning for how best to proceed, ANSA news agency reported Tuesday.

"We will have a clearer idea of the timing after checks on the submerged section and then know if the boat can leave the [waters around] the island in November or March," Civil Protection Department head Franco Gabrielli said on a visit to Giglio.