Maritime Accident News

Cruise Ship Captain Admits Making a Navigation Mistake in Ship Wreck

Francesco Schettino, Captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship that wrecked on January 13, 2012, has admitted to making a navigation mistake. The crash resulted in the death of 16 confirmed people, with more still missing. At the time that it struck the rocks, the ship was carrying approximately 4,200 people.

According to a leaked transcript quoted by the Italian media, the Captain told the investigating judge in the Italian city of Grosseto that he had ordered a turn too late and ended up in water that was too shallow. He stated that he did not know why it happened. The Captain further reported that he had decided to bring the ship close to Giglio, Italy, in order to salute a former captain who had a home on the Tuscan island. The Captain was navigating the cruise ship by sight because he felt that he knew the depths well. He also reported that he had done this same maneuver three or four times in the past.

Costa Crociere, the ship’s owners, released a statement earlier this week to the effect that Captain Schettino’s change in route and subsequent navigation mistake had not been authorized. However, satellite tracking information from the shipping journal Lloyd’s List Intelligence proves that the Costa Concordia had travelled even closer to Giglio on a cruise on August 14, 2011. The route deviation for the August cruise had been authorized by Costa Crociere.

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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