What Happened to the Captain of the Cruise Ship That Sank?

By Robert Palmer

The Costa Concordia disaster that occurred on January 13, 2012, left an indelible mark on the maritime industry. The Italian cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Giglio Island, Italy, near the Tuscany region, resulting in 32 casualties and millions of dollars in damages. At the helm of this tragedy was the ship’s captain Francesco Schettino, who is now known as one of the most infamous captains in maritime history.

In the aftermath of this disaster, Schettino was charged with multiple counts of manslaughter and abandoning his post before all passengers had been evacuated. During his trial, Schettino argued that he had been following protocol and that he stayed onboard to help coordinate rescue efforts. However, prosecutors contended that Schettino was negligent in his duties and was ultimately responsible for the tragedy.

In February 2015, Schettino was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to 16 years in prison. He is currently serving out his sentence at Rebibbia Prison in Rome. His appeal to reduce his sentence was denied by a Florence court in 2019.

In addition to being sentenced to prison time, Schettino has also been stripped of his license as a ship captain and fined €1 million. He remains one of the few captains to ever be convicted for a maritime disaster.

Conclusion:

Francesco Schettino is now remembered as one of the most infamous captains in maritime history due to his role in the Costa Concordia disaster. He has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at Rebibbia Prison in Rome, stripped of his license as a ship captain and fined €1 million for his part in this tragedy.