While the beaching of the Italian cruise ship the Concordia isn’t at the level of the Titanic, the handling of the situation is very much like that of the doomed White Star Line Ocean liner.
The death toll is currently at 11, and is likely to rise in the coming weeks as rescuers have finally called off the search for survivors on the Concordia. The ship crashed into a number of “unmarked rocks” off the coast of a small Tuscan island. The crash turned the boat on its side and trapped a number of passengers in inaccessible areas.
In addition to the tragedy of the lives lost, the manner in which the accident happened is still very much in question. Information is extremely spotty regarding the situation surrounding the actual accident. Many questions remain including how the ship ran aground, why passengers weren’t properly briefed on safety procedures and why the captain abandoned ship.
Captain Francesco Schettino is accused of piloting the ship at unsafe speeds, and causing the shipwreck. He will likely be charged in a court of law with shipwreck, abandoning ship, and manslaughter. Costa Cruises chairman Pier Luigi Foschi has placed the blame with the captain stating “The captain decided to change the route and he went into water that he did not know in advance.”
It is interesting that the information from the data recorders on board have yet to be released. While the starboard side of the ship is submerged, all the vital areas such as the bridge are fully accessible by rescue crews. Perhaps, Costa Cruises is hesitant to admit any fault on their part. An August cruise is reported as following a similar route, even closer to the shoreline. It is possible that the Carnival Cruise line subsidiary could be held responsible for the accident if they are found to have knowledge of a previously used and dangerous route.
If it becomes known that Costa Cruises was aware of an unsafe route, they could be found liable for the deaths caused by the shipwreck. If the captain was found fully at fault then the situation would be slightly better for the home company.
No matter how the situation resolves itself, it is tragic that a number of a people died at the result of negligence on the parts of the captain and possibly the cruise line.
Source: CNN Wire Staff, Search suspended after stricken Italian cruise ship moves, CNN.com CNN Wire Staff, Francesco Schettino: Cruise ship captain in troubled waters, CNN.com