It’s one of the more incredible news stories of the week. Not so much the fact that Francisco Schettino, who was in command of Costa Concordia when it hit rocks and sank with the loss of 32 lives, has finally been sacked. More that he is demanding his job back and claiming he is owed back pay.
His bosses at Costa Crociere announced this week that, almost nine months after the tragic sinking, they had “concluded the disciplinary procedure against Schettino, ordering his dismissal.”
The decision comes just days before a court hearing in Italy which is expected to send the cruise ship’s captain for trial, charged with multiple counts of manslaughter, abandoning his vessel, and contravening international laws of the sea.
Investigating judge Valeria Montesarchio is expected to consider evidence from the ship’s black box data recorder and recordings of conversations between Schettino and the Italian coastguard.
Those recordings memorably include the captain being instructed to return to his ship after claiming that he had tripped and fallen into a lifeboat which delivered him to dry land.
Someone should remind Schettino that if he does indeed want his job back on the bridge of Costa Concordia, it is still where it came to rest off the island of Giglio on the night of January 13. Largely submerged under seawater as salvage work continues around it.
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
I wonder how the families of the deceased feel about this news? There is a true example of this mans frame of mind.
It makes you wonder how he got the job in the first place and how he’s kept it for so long! Surely alarm bells must have been ringing at Costa before this happened?