words by Carol King
The captain of the Italian cruise liner Costa Concordia, Francesco Schettino, is writing a book that he says reveals him as a hero rather than a coward during the events surrounding the shipwreck.
Schettino captained the ship when it ran aground off the coast of the Isola del Giglio, Tuscany in January, claiming 32 lives. He is facing charges of multiple manslaughter in connection with causing a shipwreck. The case is expected to go to trial in spring 2013.
The ship’s captain told Italian newspaper ‘Il Giornale’ that his book will reveal the “truth” about the event and vindicate him by explaining his actions. Blame fell on the Schettino because he deviated from the Costa Concordia’s route to deliver a salute to the island and the ship hit a reef.
Schettino has not revealed when his book will be published. ‘Cruisefever’ reports that the group leading the class action against the owner of the liner, Costa Cruises, wants to ensure that any money the captain makes from the book goes to the families who lost relatives in the shipwreck and to survivors of the tragedy.
The captain lost his job over the incident and says he wants it back. He has launched legal proceedings for wrongful dismissal against Costa Cruises.
