Italy turns on cruise captain

Italy is transfixed by the Costa Concordia tragedy, and in the eye of the media storm are Captain Francesco Schettino, being painted by everyone as the villain, and Gregorio de Falco of Livorno’s harbourmaster’s office, the hero of the hour.

Italy’s press has been scathing; “Captain Coward” was one headline among many seemingly convinced of where the blame lies.

The leaked recording of the harbourmaster’s office pleading with the captain to return to his ship has created a lot of comment among Guilio locals.

“This person…. and that phone call… were unbelievable and shocking,” said one woman.

“Even our boys went there to help as the disaster happened, how could he leave the ship? Leaving the ship, that’s the worst single thing he’s done,” said another.

The exchange between the two men is now one of the most seen and heard subjects on the internet and in news broadcasts worldwide.

The harbour master asks, “What are you doing there?”

The captain says, “I’m here to coordinate the rescue.”

“What are you coordinating from there? Get on board. Coordinate the rescue from on board. Are you refusing?” the harbour master asks.

“No,” the captain says.

“Are you telling me that you are refusing to re-board Captain? Tell me why you cannot go back.”

“I’m going but there’s another lifeboat blocking our way.”

The harbour master screams: “You go back on board. That’s an order. There is nothing else for you to consider. You sounded ‘abandon ship’. Now I am in charge. There are already bodies.”

“How many bodies are there?”

“I don’t know. I heard talk of one dead but that’s for you to tell me. Jesus!”, says the audibly increasingly exasperated harbourmaster.

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