Topic: Costa Concordia disaster - Full statement from cruise line

The captain of the cruise ship that capsized off Tuscany made an unauthorised diversion from the ship's computer-programmed course, his company has said.

Here is the firm's statement in full:

"We at Costa Cruises are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected and offer the determined victims' families our heartfelt condolences.

"Over the past 48 hours, more than 1,100 Costa employees have been working tirelessly in the wake of this terrible event.

"We are working closely with the authorities to support ongoing search and rescue operations, and are focusing on ensuring that all guests and crew members return home safely.

"Our immediate priority is to account for all passengers and crew and to secure the vessel to ensure that there are no environmental impacts.

"We have engaged the services of a worldwide leader specialised salvage company to develop an action plan and help establish a protection perimeter around the ship.

"It should be noted that the prosecutor in charge has seized the ship and the DVR - (the) so-called "black box" containing all navigation data - and the vessel can be accessed by Costa only with permission from the authorities.

"We are working with investigators to find out precisely what went wrong aboard the Costa Concordia.

"While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications are that there may have been significant human error on the part of the ship's Master, Captain Francesco Schettino, which resulted in these grave consequences.

"The route of the vessel appears to have been too close to the shore, and the captain's judgment in handling the emergency appears to have not followed standard Costa procedures.

"We are aware that the lead prosecutor has levelled serious accusations against the ship's captain, who joined Costa Crociere in 2002 as a safety officer and was appointed captain in 2006, after acting as staff captain as well.

"As all Costa Masters, he has been constantly trained passing all tests.

"In light of these accusations and the continuing investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.

"As we are learning more about the event itself and the evacuation, however, it is becoming clear that the crew of the Costa Concordia acted bravely and swiftly to help evacuate more than 4,000 individuals during a very challenging situation.

"We are very grateful for all they have done.

"Costa is committed to ensuring that no such incident ever occurs again. Our number one priority is always the safety and security of our guests and crew and we comply with all safety regulations.

"Costa complies very strictly with all safety regulations and our personnel are committed, first and foremost, to guest safety and security.

"All crew members hold a BST (Basic Safety Training) certificate and are trained and prepared to emergency management and to assist passengers abandoning the ship with numerous drills.

"Roles, responsibilities and duties are clearly assigned to all crew members. Every two weeks all crew members perform a ship evacuation simulation.

"A lifeboat and evacuation drill for all guests is conducted within 24 hours of embarking, as required by law. Costa has a computerised system which ensures all passengers undergo this drill.

"The skills of Costa crew are periodically tested by coastguard authorities and an independent classification organisation as per SMS (Safety Management Systems) requirements.

"There are lifeboats and jackets on board in excess of the number required for all passengers and crew.

"Lifeboats are equipped with food and water supplies, first aid kits and communication and signalling equipment.

"All life-saving appliances are aligned to international standards and are subject to close, regular inspection by shipboard personnel and certification authorities.

"All Costa ships are certified by RINA (the Royal Institution of Naval Architects) and have been built to the highest standards and technologies."

QUOTE:

The captain of the cruise ship that capsized off Tuscany made an unauthorised diversion from the ship's computer-programmed course, his company has said.

Here is the firm's statement in full:

"We at Costa Cruises are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected and offer the determined victims' families our heartfelt condolences.

"Over the past 48 hours, more than 1,100 Costa employees have been working tirelessly in the wake of this terrible event.

"We are working closely with the authorities to support ongoing search and rescue operations, and are focusing on ensuring that all guests and crew members return home safely.

"Our immediate priority is to account for all passengers and crew and to secure the vessel to ensure that there are no environmental impacts.

"We have engaged the services of a worldwide leader specialised salvage company to develop an action plan and help establish a protection perimeter around the ship.

"It should be noted that the prosecutor in charge has seized the ship and the DVR - (the) so-called "black box" containing all navigation data - and the vessel can be accessed by Costa only with permission from the authorities.

"We are working with investigators to find out precisely what went wrong aboard the Costa Concordia.

"While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications are that there may have been significant human error on the part of the ship's Master, Captain Francesco Schettino, which resulted in these grave consequences.

"The route of the vessel appears to have been too close to the shore, and the captain's judgment in handling the emergency appears to have not followed standard Costa procedures.

"We are aware that the lead prosecutor has levelled serious accusations against the ship's captain, who joined Costa Crociere in 2002 as a safety officer and was appointed captain in 2006, after acting as staff captain as well.

"As all Costa Masters, he has been constantly trained passing all tests.

"In light of these accusations and the continuing investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.

"As we are learning more about the event itself and the evacuation, however, it is becoming clear that the crew of the Costa Concordia acted bravely and swiftly to help evacuate more than 4,000 individuals during a very challenging situation.

"We are very grateful for all they have done.

"Costa is committed to ensuring that no such incident ever occurs again. Our number one priority is always the safety and security of our guests and crew and we comply with all safety regulations.

"Costa complies very strictly with all safety regulations and our personnel are committed, first and foremost, to guest safety and security.

"All crew members hold a BST (Basic Safety Training) certificate and are trained and prepared to emergency management and to assist passengers abandoning the ship with numerous drills.

"Roles, responsibilities and duties are clearly assigned to all crew members. Every two weeks all crew members perform a ship evacuation simulation.

"A lifeboat and evacuation drill for all guests is conducted within 24 hours of embarking, as required by law. Costa has a computerised system which ensures all passengers undergo this drill.

"The skills of Costa crew are periodically tested by coastguard authorities and an independent classification organisation as per SMS (Safety Management Systems) requirements.

"There are lifeboats and jackets on board in excess of the number required for all passengers and crew.

"Lifeboats are equipped with food and water supplies, first aid kits and communication and signalling equipment.

"All life-saving appliances are aligned to international standards and are subject to close, regular inspection by shipboard personnel and certification authorities.

"All Costa ships are certified by RINA (the Royal Institution of Naval Architects) and have been built to the highest standards and technologies."

Fascinating.

Well done Costa - or should that be Carnival.

Jeremy Vine is now discussing it on BBC.

QUOTE:

"While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications are that there may have been significant human error on the part of the ship's Master, Captain Francesco Schettino, which resulted in these grave consequences.

"The route of the vessel appears to have been too close to the shore, and the captain's judgment in handling the emergency appears to have not followed standard Costa procedures.."

It is unprecedented for a cruise line to BLAME the Captain even before the official enquiry has taken place. Whatever happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’?

I think Carnival are effectively saying “There's nothing wrong with our ships please keep booking our cruises".

O.K. the Captain may well be to blame, but most accidents are actually a case of ‘cumulative-causation’. That is several unfortunate factors coming together at once.

The Captain may well not have even been on the Bridge at the time – mind you he is still ultimately responsible. He would certainly not been alone on the bridge.

I've read that Carnival's shares have taken a bit of a hit...

and that their insurance excess is £30million...Huge ouch!

Would the Pilot have been involved at the time the diversion took place. No mention of the Pilot at this stage by the media.

QUOTE:

Would the Pilot have been involved at the time the diversion took place. No mention of the Pilot at this stage by the media.

I was wondering that, althugh the Captain is still 'responsible' even with a Pilot on-board.

I'd be very suprised if it was simply a case of the Captain going to close to the rocks. Why did he? I bet that there is more to the story, yet to come out.

As I have commented elsewhere it does pose many questions about when and where the lifeboat is when the order to abandon ship is given, which in this case appears to be very late. Is this given at the drill or written down elsewhere?
The "panic" that occured in some instances would be averted by good crew discipline in charge of the lifeboats and the ability to queue as I read some comment by one survivor. It appears the quality of orders from the top is crucial. With so many of the crew from different countries Officer discipline is crucial over who does what and when.

Judging by the number of wheelchairs on board many cruises some form of procedure must be in operation for these as well as the fact it takes a degree of agility for even the fittest cruiser to get into a lifeboat as I witness every time we have a tender service to shore.
An inquiry will establish the facts but it does appear at this stage as "driver error". No doubt all the bosses at the major cruise lines are advising their captains and crew accordingly. Let's hope that this "lesson will be learnt" Very lucky so few lives were lost which is in some way a credit to the crew, the probable positioning of the ship and procedures followed by most late as they were.

It will take more than these useless words to convince many people to even consider cruising again.The industry has turned itsef into cattle transporters,all in the cause of commercialism.Before it can even consider being a safe and enjoyable mode of transport once more,their has to be a new and exhaustive charter covering safety at sea.For a long time now Italian and Greek operators have fallen far short of what is required. But dont leave P&O out of the equasion being the first to use Lifeboats as tenders to save money on hiring tenders and on occasions have rendered Lifeboat engines unfit for purpose.No matter the amount of lifeboat drill it would not have helped anyone of the 4200 people onboard this stricken vessel.The terryifying ordeal these people went through is unprecedented in modern times and must never happen again.Ships are built to sail in deep waters not on rocky islands,either to appease an incompetant Captain with his importance of grandeur.

But surprised that some people on here are treating the whole incident in such flippant fashion,not giving thought to the seriousness of the event.Cost cutting exercises dont work on Cruise Ships which includes a raft of things incl dodgy agencies that hire unqualified staff for the astronomical commisions they charge as high as $6000 in many cases.Even RCCL abandoned their training schools in preference to these agencies. Of course prices will rise and so they should bringing them inline with reality but at least ensuring a better experience for travellers.Having seen first hand on many occasions the workings of brand RCCL I remain loyal to the absolute safety and comfort experienced over many years.

QUOTE:

Would the Pilot have been involved at the time the diversion took place. No mention of the Pilot at this stage by the media.

As the ship was supposed to be on the open seas and not entering or leaving a port, it is unlikely that there was a pilot on board.
Brian

QUOTE:

But dont leave P&O out of the equasion being the first to use Lifeboats as tenders to save money on hiring tenders and on occasions have rendered Lifeboat engines unfit for purpose.

The use of lifeboats is common practice and some are designed for the dual role of tenders and lifeboats. Using them as tenders also has the benefit of ensuring they are in working order and gives the crew experience in operating them. Its better to do that rather than just leaving them hanging there and hope they work when you want them
Brian