Cruise captain sailed near island for head waiter: report

[FarCenter]

The captain of an Italian cruise ship that ran aground near Giglio island passed close to its rocky shores to please the head waiter who comes from there, the Corriere della Sera reported Monday.

The report raised more allegations of irresponsible action by the ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, leading to the accident that left at least six people dead. The ship's operator has said he committed "errors of judgment".

According to the daily, shortly before the accident the captain called head waiter Antonello Tievoli to the bridge saying, "Antonello, come see, we are very close to your Giglio," said witnesses quoted by the newspaper.

Tievoli had been due for leave the week before but had to remain on board because a replacement could not be found, the paper said.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cruise-captain-sailed-near-island-for-head-waiter-report--.aspx?pageID=238&nID=11570&NewsCatID=353

[WI_DEM]

1. incompetent fool

[BeyondGeography]

2. Along with a ten-story ship and 4,200 of his best friends

[gateley]

3. That's too bad, it was a very thoughtful gesture but he should have made sure it was safe. nt

[obamanut2012]

6. Coming from a Navy family

I can tell you it wasn't thoughtful. It was against every regulation and every bit of common sense. No one with a Captain's License should ever think of putting their passengers and ship in harm's way like that.

I'm not snarking at you, but I can tell you that watermen and waterwomen from kayakers to Admirals are shaking their heads over this.

[gateley]

9. You've opened my eyes - and I didn't think your were snarking. Thanks for the info! nt

[CTyankee]

13. I know nothing about ships but this is unbelievable incompetence in my estimation.

Wouldn't he be expected to know which waters he could not steer a ship of such a large size in? Would he not know of dangerous rocks in those waters which must be avoided?

It reminds me of being shocked to find out the astounding incompetence of the Air Florida pilots in the crash of that plane on the 14th St. Bridge in D.C. back in the early 80s. They, too, did everything wrong.

[CTyankee]

4. Can you imagine the lawsuits that will ensue from this?

That company is so dead.

[obamanut2012]

8. Carnival has very deep pockets

But, even they will take a huge hit from this, including in reputation.

[FarCenter]

10. Their insurance may cover loss of the vessel

But there are reports that the Italian government will require them to remove the vessel and restore the area.

Most likely this will involve breaking up the vessel where it lays and taking it away piece-by-piece. This is complicated by the fact that it is poorly supported and may shift into deeper water.

This may cause Carnival a huge expense.

[customerserviceguy]

18. Between this incident

and the one with the fire on board that ship about a year or so ago, Carnival might just see bookings dry up. There's no way in hell I would ever pay to get on one of their poorly-run garbage scows.

[FarCenter]

12. Cruise company shares slump on Costa Concordia disaster

Shares in US-based cruise ship operator Carnival slumped here on Monday, after the group admitted that the Costa Concordia disaster could cost the group $85-95 million (67-75 million euros).

Carnival Corp's share price tumbled 16.86 percent to 1,868.99 pence in afternoon London deals on London's FTSE 100 index of leading companies, which was 0.24 percent higher at 5,651.11 points.

The group, which is listed in London and New York, is the owner of the luxury liner which ran aground late Friday off the Italian coast with the loss of at least six lives.

...

"The vessel is expected to be out of service for the remainder of our current fiscal year if not longer. For the fiscal year ending November 30, the impact... for loss of use is expected to be approximately $85-$95 million. In addition, the company anticipates other costs to the business that are not possible to determine at this time," it added.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cruise-company-shares-slump-on-costa-concordia-disaster.aspx?pageID=238&nID=11602&NewsCatID=353

[SoCalMusicLover]

17. Underestimate As Usual

Go ahead and take that estimate and triple it.

Heck, take that new number and triple it as well.

The new revised amount will probably turn out to be conservative in the end.

They know this of course, but they'll slowly increase the estimates over time, so as not to cause anyone alarm. Might be too big a shock if they came out now with an accurate estimate of perhaps $1 Billion.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Evidently the ocean wasn't as deep in that area.

[opihimoimoi]

5. Wow...Confirmation of LOLOs EVERYWHERE SYNDROME.... I guess they are everywhere is right

[City Lights]

11. Idiot.

[madmom]

14. I read an article earlier that said he went that close so he

could wave at a friend on shore.

[lpbk2713]

15. I knew it.

It was the strawberries.

He was covering up for the strawberries.