Captain left ship well before passengers - prosecutor
The captain of the Costa Concordia left the stricken cruise liner "well before" the last passengers were evacuated, the prosecutor in charge of investigating the disaster said today.
Asked on the news channel SkyTG24 whether captain Francesco Schettino, arrested yesterday for multiple homicide, had left the liner "well before all the passengers were evacuated," prosecutor Francesco Verusio replied: "Unfortunately I can confirm that."
Meanwhile, rescuers this morning said they had rescued three passengers who were trapped in the giant cruise ship, lying on its side half submerged in shallow waters. They include a Korean couple trapped in their cabin.
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Don Cockrill
Jan 15th 2012, 15:17
Victor and others - A lesson in modern maritime rescue practise: It is now (and has been for many years) considered to be best practise for the most senior officer available, preferably the captain, to leave as soon as possible to be taken ashore or to a coordinating rescue craft so that the fullest information can be given first hand to the rescuing authorities about the ship and the nature of the casualty.
Patrick Camilleri
Jan 15th 2012, 18:36
That doesn't make sense to me.
- How can one be sure that each and every member of the crew is aware of the change in command?
- Why change command at such a critical time? Why take the most experienced person off the ship?
- The sight of the captain leaving the ship is hardly one to inspire confidence in the passengers.
- In this day and age communication is not really a problem and it is easy for him to be in constant contact with the rescuers.
- Once the captain is off the ship any information he may have is "old" information and its relevence reduces by the minute as things change on the damaged ship. Any intitial advantage this gives is quickly lost.
Victor Pulis
Jan 16th 2012, 06:29
If that's the modern maritime practice why was the captain arrested? it seems I'm not the only one ignorant about modern practice!
Carmel Cilia
Jan 15th 2012, 14:57
Veru miskina kif inbidlet is-socjeta tal-lum Egoizmu sfrenat. Zmien ilu mhux daqstant il-boghod kaptan ta Vapur kien jeghreq mieghu. Il-lum kollox bla valur u bla principju. Dan il-bniedem ghandu imur il-habs jekk xejn talli abbanduna lil-passiggieri responsabli minnhom.
GORDON HAINS
Jan 15th 2012, 13:46
TYPICAL ITALIAN CAPTAIN!!!
stephen koludrovic
Jan 15th 2012, 13:24
The courage of this brave captain is unbelievable. Bet he will get a promotion.
Bernard Pollacco
Jan 15th 2012, 13:17
there goes the saying the captain always goes down with his ship....
mike Dobson
Jan 15th 2012, 19:49
Yeah but in this case the captain seem to have gone Up on deck as oppose to going Down.
DannyBoy BartoloJr.
Jan 15th 2012, 13:03
I think this is typical Italian same as in the last war according to alot of poms, when i was in Aussie my pommie mates used to say the Italian tanks, used to have 6 reverse gears and one forward gear, so its a question i suppose of i'm alright Jack sod you mate, when he said abondoned ship, and then said if you look out the port hole, you see a yellow dinghy a few yards away, and thats where i'm talking to you from !
its ajoke going around the uk on sms. as usual British humour. LOL.
Ms Margaret Williams
Jan 15th 2012, 19:17
Yes sir, i like it DannyBoy you sized this Italian captian in a nut shell. I'm sure this is the joke of the week, Its rather unfortunate for the passengers however. but it could have been much worse, but i'm allright Jack decided to get out first apparently that ITALIAN COURAGE I SUPPOSE saving his own skin., i don't know what it is but since i read the Mr.Bartolo's comment i keep singing and i just cannot getting out my head....
I tied a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree (IN Italian) ..........etc.,etc.,
Victor Pulis
Jan 15th 2012, 12:13
A ship's captain is always expected to leave his sinking ship last.
Mr Clive Aquilina Spagnol
Jan 15th 2012, 13:37
Without generalising, personally I never had a very good impression of Italian naval personnel....:) I might be mistaken, but somehow they never instilled confidence and trust me. Same with air personnel. Was this ship built in Italy as well?...
Joseph Calleja
Jan 15th 2012, 16:47
Yeah right.
m borg
Jan 15th 2012, 10:48
Galantom !
Charles W. Sammut
Jan 15th 2012, 10:18
Coraggio fuggiamo!!
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