A Dutch salvage crew approaches the stricken Costa Concordia cruise liner.

The team moved a barge next to the capsized ship in preparation for pumping almost two and a half thousand tonnes of diesel fuel from the wreck.

The Costa Concordia struck a rock on January 13 and foundered close to the Tuscan island of Giglio.

At least 17 people died in the accident and 15 others are still missing.

On Thursday, a U.S. personal injury lawyer that represents around 70 passengers said a high settlement for victims could help the cruise industry reform and improve safety.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER, JOHN ARTHUR EAVES:

"What's important for us to remember is that if we increase the value of life, if that value is high, the companies, the cruise industry specifically, will change their policies, they will invest more in training the crew, they will invest more in navigation, they will invest more in safety so they will not have to pay large claims in the future. We have only this opportunity to make a change to prevent this from happening to future generations."

The Costa Concordia is awaiting a decision by its owners on how and when to remove it.

The ship's captain is under house arrest and faces charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.

Simon Hanna, Reuters.