Captain says ‘maintained calm’ as cruise ship sank

(see related) (ANSA) – Grosseto, November 18 – The captain of the doomed Costa Concordia ship, that crashed into rocks off the coast of Tuscany in early 2012 and killed 32 people, told a court Monday he did “everything possible to keep people calm and to keep me informed of what was going on”. Francesco Schettino is on trial for multiple manslaughter and dereliction of duty for his role in the crash of the 290-metre, 450-million-euro cruise ship carrying 4,200 passengers.

His statement, which came towards the end of a hearing Monday, was spontaneous, and was the second time he has interjected during proceedings, with the judge’s admission. Schettino has repeatedly insisted on his innocence, and on having prevented a worse disaster than what occurred. He is suing to get his job back after being dismissed by Costa Cruises.

The disaster occurred when an allegedly rash maneuver by Schettino resulted in the Concordia hitting a rock reef as the ship sailed close to Giglio Island to ‘salute’ local people.