Not to be Debbie Downer, but...

The ship's Captain, Francesco Schettino, was an idiot for trying to maneuver the ship close to shore, just to wave to a friend. That was a stupid move and I'm sure it was against the cruise lines policy, but.... when he abandoned ship, that was criminal. I hope they prosecute him to the full extent of the law. His stupidity and cowardice has taken many lives.

I've been watching that stuff on the news & weather channel.
To be honest when I first heard about it, the only thing I thought was it's the Titanic all over again.. 100 years is getting close.. & I have this small thought in my head that history will always repeat itself.
It really is horrible. It's funny he tried to defined himself. Blaming the ship's gears.. I find it hard to believe.

That is scary!!! I've been on 2 cruises and have always thought this was impossible (even though logically it's not).

People keep comparing this to Titanic, but worst case scenario for this ship is 35 dead (11 confirmed, 24 missing). And it went down close to shore with help right there.

Titanic went down in the middle of the ocean with help hours away and 1,500-plus deaths, mostly third-class passengers who were not allowed into life rafts because they were poor.

This is bad. The captain ia pretty horrid and cowardly human being and SHOULD be charged. But this is not Titanic all over again.

Very sad,.....but unfortunately fault lies with Carnival as well, asthey opted to "skip" the evacuation and emergency drills until day 2 or 3 after leaving Rome, so that more passengers would be on then ,....and they wouldn't have to do it over for the newbies !!

Companies have to ensure that policies are followed especially when safety is involved. Sounds like a lack of training here, and its a shame for Carnival who as far as i know had a good reputaion up till now. Im sure they will start enforcing much more seriously now.

I also heard the captain claim that he was "catapulted" from his ship and didn't leave it. Not sure I believe that at all

I also heard the captain claim that he was "catapulted" from his ship and didn't leave it. Not sure I believe that at all

I heard something on the radio news this morning that the Italian Coast Guard asked the captain to return to the ship and help evacuate and he refused.

I may have that wrong because I turned it on in the middle of the story, but that's what it sounded like happened.

Having done many stupid things in my life, I can allow that his intention was not malicious, but his position as Captain holds him to a very high standard. His stupidity has cost lifes, jeopardized Carnival Cruises (which couold affect many employees) and was in direct opposition to company policy.

He is and should be charged with manslaughter.

I agree!!!

BTW, Love the new pic! You have a beautiful family. :flowerforyou:

A transcript of a conversation between Schettino and Capt. Gregorio De Falco of the Italian coast guard in Livorno, shows the coast guard official urgently commanding the captain to return to the cruise ship after he had abandoned it.

"There are people trapped on board," De Falco said. "Now you go with your boat under the prow on the starboard side. There is a pilot ladder. You will climb that ladder and go on board. You go on board and then you will tell me how many people there are. Is that clear? I'm recording this conversation, Cmdr. Schettino ..."

Schettino resisted returning to the ship, saying "I am here with the rescue boats, I am here, I am not going anywhere, I am here."

"You go aboard. It is an order. Don't make any more excuses," De Falco said. "You have declared 'abandon ship.' Now I am in charge. You go on board! Is that clear? Do you hear me? Go, and call me when you are aboard. My air rescue crew is there."

"But you do realize it is dark and here we can't see anything," Schettino told the coast guard.

De Falco responded: "And so what? You want to go home, Schettino? It is dark and you want to go home? Get on that prow of the boat using the pilot ladder and tell me what can be done, how many people there are and what there needs are. Now!"