A Note regarding Captain Schettino

[Jelpy]

This probably makes me a terrible person, but I can't help feeling a certain amount of sympathy for Captain Schettino, of the recently sunken cruise ship near Italy. A transcript of the conversation (argument?) between Schettino and the Italian Coastguard could almost be a model for a dialogue in a movie.

Return to the boat, he is ordered.

The Captain protests, pointing out with excruciating logic that the ship is, after all, listing dangerously.

The coast guard fellow-with the dashing name of DeFalco (I think I'm in love. Anyone named DeFalco is handsome, courageous, and would never dream of leaving me aboard a sinking ship.) Tells Schettino to get on the Damned ship now and help his passengers.


Schettino announces-probably without a quaver in his voice for the first time-that he is on the rescue boats and has no intention of returning.

DeFalco, (and one can almost see him pulling on his impeccably cut hair) asks the Captain what he's bloody well doing on the rescue boats.

Schettino says he is coordinating the rescue (with the assistance of his second in command who is also in the lifeboat with him) just fine from where he is.

"What are you coordinating from there?" Screams DeFalco "Go onboard the ship!" Are you refusing?"

No. Schettino isn't refusing. He just isn't going back on board the ship. He then adds, with a certain amount of accuracy, that it's dark out there.


Now, I realize he shirked his duty, didn't take care of his passengers, more or less flunked remedial seamanship 101, and violated about 10 rules of international Maritime law and 1000 of civilization, but I can't help thinking that I wouldn't have done much better in the same situation. I too, would be sitting on the lifeboat thinking "Why should I go back? I can tell it's a disaster from here just fine, thank you very much. If I go back it'll just add another person who needs to be rescued."

What this whole thing is an elaborate example of Murphy's Law in action. Schettino was evidently an excellent purser, Lt, Navigator etc. He was probably even a top notch Captain....right up until his ship hit the rocks.
He has, however, now provided me with a whole new excuse not to try for that Supervisory job, or Technician's Job or Analysts job that crop up periodically. I can refuse on the basis of refusing to be the next Schettino, and retreat to my lowly cubicle and congratulate myself for recognizing my limitations.


Thanks, Cap

[LoveEcho]

He's supposed to be supervising rescue efforts from the ship And, considering he caused the whole thing showboating, makes it worse. There's a reason a captain abandoning ship carries a 12 year prison sentence.... heavy is the burden.

Don't become a captain if you're not willing to go down with the ship.

Sorry-- Admiral's brat here

[LJsMom]

Originally Posted by LoveEcho

He's supposed to be supervising rescue efforts from the ship And, considering he caused the whole thing showboating, makes it worse. There's a reason a captain abandoning ship carries a 12 year prison sentence.... heavy is the burden.

Don't become a captain if you're not willing to go down with the ship.

Sorry-- Admiral's brat here

I agree! My daughter worked on a cruiseship for 5 years. I didn't worry much because her captains were responsible people that genuinely cared for the safety of the passengers, crew and ship.

[carmspack]

no way.
he had flirted with disaster before in the same waters.

no way.
there were innocent people on board without anyone there to give them direction , not even knowing the layout of the ship.

captain , brings responsibilites . he abbrograted all of them and people died because of it.

he deserves what ever is coming his way -- we'll see what the Italian courts are like.

-ship half a billion dollars
- environmental disaster if the tanks break
- lives lost
- business lost

[Jelpy]

I was googling stuff a few minutes ago and Gregorio DeFalco has become an international hero. It seems a T-shirt with the phrase "Vada a bordo, c*zz*!," has become an overnight sales hit....even with the salty meaning the last word has in italian.

Jelpy

[msvette2u]

Yep. 100% wrong, he was.
I'm a Captain's wife

[DharmasMom]

I want one of those Italian t shirts- translated into English of course.

I love when DeFalco tells him- "You may have saved yourself from the sea, but I will make sure you pay! Now get back on the ******* boat!!"

The "Chicken of the Sea" has the NY Times has dubbed the good captain is now trying claim he "tripped" and fell into the life boat. Whatever!!

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by DharmasMom

trying claim he "tripped" and fell into the life boat. Whatever!!

Now see..we don't know that he didn't. It's very possible that on his way to the life boat, knocking the elderly and babies to the ground, that he tripped over a toddler and fell into the boat.

If it wasn't so terribly tragic, it would be almost funny.