The Coast of Giglio

The company operating the cruise ship, Costa Concordia, has said the captain may have “committed errors” causing the ship to capsize after hitting rocks off western Italy on Friday.

He appears to have sailed too close to land and not to have followed company’s emergency procedures, says Costa Crociere.

Capt Francesco Schettino is suspected of manslaughter, but denies wrong doing.

At least 6 have died but 15 remain unaccounted for. Divers are trying to find more survivors.

Costa Crociere have stated: “It seems the commander made errors of judgement leading to serious consequences. The route followed by the ship ended up being too close to the coast and it seems that his decision in handling the emergency didn’t follow Costa Crociere’s procedures which are in line, and in some cases, go beyond international standards.”

The Costa Concorda is currently laying on its side just metres from the coast of Tuscan island, Giglio.

Capt Schettino is denying any wrongdoing, saying the rocks that the ship hit were not marked on his nautical chart. He stated “We should have had deep water beneath us, we where about 300 metres  from the rocks more or less. We shouldn’t have hit anything.” He also denied claims made against him about leaving the ship before evacuation was complete stating “we were the last to leave the ship.”

Monday January 16^th 2012
The Onlines