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On January 13, 2012, the luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia struck rocks off the Italian island of Giglio, tearing a massive gash in the ship’s hull. Thirty-two people are feared dead following the wreck, with 16 deaths confirmed thus far. Pier Luigi Foschi, Chief Executive of Costa Cruises, is being questioned by a Senate committee in Rome regarding the crash.
Mr. Foschi reports that Captain Schettino made the call to Costa Cruise’s Chief Crisis Unit Officer, Roberto Ferrarini, approximately ten minutes after the ship struck the rocky outcrop. During this phone call, the Captain stated that there was a big problem on board after he had hit a rock. He also stated that there had been a blackout, and that only one of the sealed chambers had flooded. However, Mr. Schettino seemed calm and said the situation was under control. In a later call, Captain Schettino stated that a second sealed chamber of the ship was flooded. He assured Mr. Ferrarini, however, that the stability of the cruise ship was not in danger. Later, in yet another call, the Captain told Mr. Ferrarini that the listing of the ship was increasing and that they would be abandoning it. Since the Captain seemed so calm and unalarmed in the previous phone calls, Mr. Foschi states that Mr. Ferrarini was completely surprised by this development.
In a shocking revelation, Mr. Foschi further reported to the committee that Costa Cruise’s umbrella company, Carnival Corp, did sometimes encourage captains to sail close to the coast. The reason given was that it would help to “enrich the product.” However, Mr. Foschi further stressed that the Captain’s maneuver was not authorized in this instance.
Captain Schettino is currently under house arrest and faces several charges.
The maritime injury attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckom, P.L.L.C. extend their condolences to the family and friends of the passengers aboard the Costa Concordia.
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