Sorry to go off topic, but my daughter is considering a maritime career, and I thought you could help me understand what happened to the boat this week since you speak Italian and might have a better sense of temper from their tone. I understand that the boat usually took another route, but had taken a similar path previously for a special sailing. I also understand that even though it was as large as a skyscraper, fore and aft thrusters let it turn on a dime, in good weather, and the global positioning systems told them exactly where the rocks were relative to the ship. So do you think the captain was mentally ill, and the entire crew was unable to do their jobs, too? I just don't see how so many safeguards failed. I don't expect an explanation - just your judgement on whether the captain sounds sane when the Coast Guard commander is yelling at him.
It was also lucky that the harbour command (Capitaneria di Porto) of Leghorn/Livorno, who had that memorable phone exchange with the captain, had a commander who knew his duty and did it never mind what. But for Captain De Falco, the list of dead and injured might have been worse. I am also told that the civilian population of Giglio behaved admirably, helping the stranded passengers and welcoming them.
We have to wait for the results of the various trials and inquiries that will take place. However, I can say that the authorities definitely seem to have decided that the main blame lies with the captain. There is a suspicion that he was drunk; there is an incredible recording of the harbour authorities ORDERING him - repeatedly - to return to his ship, and him ignoring what was both a legal command and a demand that he should perform his duty. He has already been charged with multiple manslaughter, desertion of duty, and abandonment of persons in danger. What seems to have happened is that he had deliberately abandoned the established route in order to show off to some friend or friend on the island; that he had already done this at least once before, with no ill effects (but in grave breach of his duties); but that this time (and this is where the suspicion that he was drunk comes in) he not only drove the ship straight at the bare rock, but did so with such power as to rip both hulls and make mincemeat of the various security
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I understand that the boat usually took another route, but had taken a similar path previously for a special sailing.
I also understand that even though it was as large as a skyscraper, fore and aft thrusters let it
turn on a dime, in good weather, and the global positioning systems told them exactly where the rocks were relative to the ship.
So do you think the captain was mentally ill, and the entire crew was unable to do their jobs, too?
I just don't see how so many safeguards failed.
I don't expect an explanation - just your judgement on whether the captain sounds sane when the Coast Guard commander is yelling at him.
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