Cruise Ship Costa Concordia - MERGED THREADS

[Dulcesuenos]

They just recovered the 7th body, still over 2 dozen missing.
My prayers go out to their families...

[xymotic]

this story seems about the most factual one I have seen so far.

Also the infra-red video is pretty amazing.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by PyotrBee

It certainly appears that way, but there could be other factors as well. Its still entirely possible that the captains actions were with in the accepted realm of safety but that something else DID happen and turned into the mess that it is. Even for a close pass, as close as they came seems far more prudent than a cruise ship captain would do on purpose.

It's only within the realm of safety if it's done safely.

[storyinframes]

Originally Posted by kaimusailing

I sometimes think when I am in unfamiliar waters, that if I handle my boat like a large ship, I will avoid grounding troubles.

well said.

[St. Elsewhere]

Five additional bodies were recovered Tuesday by blasting holes in to previously inaccessible areas. Details here: 5 more bodies found on Costa Concordia - CBS News

[MacG]

I have heard some part of the communication between Coastguard and Captn Schettino.

It is worse than worse. He was commanded by the coastguard to returnm to the bridge of his ship. He claimed that such was not possible although embarkation was still in full process. Very explicitly the Coastguard commanded him to conduct the embarkation and make full report how many passengers divided by male, female and children were still on board and how many went already off.
Coastguard accused him already of trotting on all respectable rules and told him he would suffer for that.

St Elswhere said already the rest. Hope to find people alive are as close to nil.

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by MacG

I have heard some part of the communication between Coastguard and Captn Schettino.

Is it possible you could give a reference (or even better, a link) to this conversation?

Edit: Ah, I think this is it, but haven't checked since internet is so slow now....
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_1...in;contentBody

[MacG]

NOS Nieuws - Kustwacht Livorno: luister Schettino, hier zal je voor boeten

The first part is Dutch, but you will hear the record of Coastguard and Captn Schettino in very clear English.

sorry, no english .....

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

It is now disputed whether the captain did leave the ship prematurely. As more eyewitness testimony comes to light, all will be revealed.

Indeed. If this translation is correct, I don't see much to dispute.

"
PA: Get back on board! This is an order! You don't need to make any other assessment. You have declared that you have abandoned ship, therefore I'm in command. Get back on board right now is that clear?
Captain: Officer…
PA: Can you not hear me?
Captain: I'm getting back on board.
PA: Then go! And call me right away when you are on board. There's my rescuer there.
Captain: Where is your rescuer?
PA: My rescuer is on the stern side, go! There are already bodies, Schettino! Go!
Captain: Officer how many bodies are there?
PA: I don't know. I know about one… I've heard about one, but you must tell me! [expletive]!
Captain: Do you realize it's dark out here and we can't see anything?
PA: What do you want to do ? Do you want to go home? It's dark so you want to go home? Get on the stern of that ship climb the ladder and tell me what can be done, how many people are there and what they need. Right now!
Captain: I'm here with my second officer.
[Schettino identifies second officer.]
PA: You and your second officer must get back on board right now is that clear?
Captain: I just wanted to tell you that the other rescue boat here with other rescuers stopped. It's just stopped. Now I've called the other rescuers.
PA: You've been telling me the same thing for an hour now get back on board! On board! And you get back to me right away telling me how many people are there.
Captain: It's fine officer, I'm going.
PA: Then go, right now!"

[MacG]

There are certain sentences left out. Grosso modo it' s similar.

[CarlF]

Here's a longer translated version in English from Reuters


------------------------
The recording is full of background noises such as radio static, beeps and background noise of people and confusion. As translated by Reuters, the entire conversation went as follows:


Coast Guard: Hello.


Captain: Good evening, chief.


Coast Guard: Listen, this is De Falco from Livorno. Am I speaking with the captain?


Captain: Good evening, Chief De Falco.


Coast Guard: Tell me your name, please.


Captain: I am Captain Schettino, chief.


Coast Guard: Schettino?


Captain: Yes.


Coast Guard: Listen, Schettino. There are people trapped on board. Now, you go with your lifeboat. Under the bow of the ship, on the right side, there is a ladder. You climb on that ladder and go on board the ship. Go on board the ship and get back to me and tell me how many people are there. Is that clear. I am recording this conversation, Captain Schettino.
(Captain tries to speak but Coast Guard can't hear him clearly. Voices in the Coast Guard room.)


Coast Guard: Speak up! (captain tries to speak) Captain, put your hand over the microphone and speak in a louder voice!
Captain: At this moment the ship is listing.


Coast Guard: There are people who are coming down the ladder on the bow. Go back in the opposite direction, get back on the ship, and tell me how many people there are and what they have on board. Tell me if there are children, women and what type of help they need. And you tell me the number of each of these categories. Is that clear?


Listen Schettino, perhaps you have saved yourself from the sea but I will make you look very bad. I will make you pay for this. Dammit, go back on board!


(Noise can be heard in the background. Apparently other Coast Guard officers are shouting to each other in the same room about "the ship, the ship")


Captain: Please ...


Coast Guard: There is no 'please' about it. Get back on board. Assure me you are going back on board!


Captain: I'm in a lifeboat, I am under here. I am not going anywhere. I am here.


Coast Guard: What are you doing, captain?


Captain: I am here to coordinate the rescue...


Coast Guard (interrupting): What are you coordinating there! Get on board! Coordinate the rescue from on board! Are you refusing?
Captain: No, I am not refusing.


Coast Guard: Are you refusing to go aboard, captain? Tell me the reason why you are not going back on board.


Captain: (inaudible)... there is a another lifeboat...


Coast Guard (interrupting, yelling): You get back on board! That is an order! There is nothing else for you to consider. You have sounded the "Abandon Ship." Now I am giving the orders. Get back on board. Is that clear? Don't you hear me?




Captain: I am going aboard.


Coast Guard: Go! Call me immediately when you are on board. My rescue people are in front of the bow.


Captain: Where is your rescue craft?


Coast Guard: My rescue craft is at the bow. Go! There are already bodies, Schettino. Go!


Captain: How many bodies are there?


Coast Guard: I don't know! ... Christ, you should be the one telling me that!


Captain: Do you realize that it is dark and we can't see anything?
Coast Guard: So, what do you want to do, to go home, Schettino?! It's dark and you want to go home? Go to the bow of the ship where the ladder is and tell me what needs to be done, how many people there are, and what they need! Now!


Captain: My second in command is here with me.


Coast Guard: Then both of you go! Both of you! What is the name of your second in command?


Captain: His name is Dmitri (static)"


Coast Guard: What is the rest of his name? (static) You and your second in command get on board now! Is that clear?


Captain: Look, chief, I want to go aboard but the other lifeboat here has stopped and is drifting. I have called ...


Coast Guard (interrupting): You have been telling me this for an hour! Now, go aboard! Get on board, and tell me immediately how many people there are!


Captain: OK, chief.


Coast Guard: Go! Immediately!

[Blue Stocking]

Something doesn't sound right . The Captain certainly would not get command of a vessel this size, without considerable experience.
The ship was immobile, and certainly couldn't sink any further.
Why the reluctance to go back aboard and manage the passengers?

[JoeDiver]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Why the reluctance to go back aboard and manage the passengers?

Cowardice.

[SabreKai]

Current article from Spiegle, the German news magazine with a good set of photos from the divers.

Captain Under Fire: Hopes Fade for Finding Survivors in Wrecked Ship - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

Seems the hull is starting to crush and break up on the stbd side. Dewatering will be a royal pain in the backside as there are huge windows that are under water. All those balconies with sliding glass doors will have to be sealed.

I'll wager she is scrapped. She may be righted and pulled off but I suspect she will be scrapped.

[S/V Alchemy]

And boom, this will be the largest ship loss in history.

I'll bet the crew of the Exxon Valdez are thinking "finally, we are knocked out of the top spot in the Hall of Deadly Nautical Incompetence".