Costa Cruises’ Ship Captain Awarded Navy Medal For An Exceptional Rescue

Pietro Sinisi, captain of Costa Cruises, was reportedly rewarded with the prestigious Navy Bronze Medal of Merit in Rome in the presence of Vice Admiral Nicola Carlone, the Italian Coast Guard’s Commandant, at a ceremony held at the General Command of the Harbour Masters Corps.

The Commandant of the Italian Coast Guard was awarded the medal. It was handed over by the delegation of the Italian Navy Chief, Admiral Enrico Credendino, during the military ceremony arranged to mark the 157th anniversary of the Harbour Masters Corps that had taken place on 20 July 1865.

When motor vessel Kilic caught fire, Captain Sinisi, per Costa Luminosa’s command, supported complex rescue operations showing exceptional expertise and extraordinary nautical skills, successfully ensuring the rescue of the 11 crew members.

Despite poor weather, Captain Sinisi was able to establish and maintain the safety of his guests even while putting a prompt intervention in place simultaneously. The resolution turned out providential for the successful rescue operation. With his humble behavior, Sinisi brought prestige to the Italian Navy’s image in the institutional framework.

The rescue mission started on 21 November 2018. At midnight, Costa Luminosa, which was then heading toward the port of Katakolon, got a distress call from the Rescue Coordination Center of the Greek Coast Guard. Sinisi was ordered to assist the motor vessel Kilic, a cargo vessel primarily used for transporting fish, which was in serious trouble due to a fire outbreak on board. The crew comprising 11 men was rescued by a Costa Luminosa tender that Marco Genovese, the Safety Officer steered and transshipped to another cargo vessel that was involved in the operations previously by the Greek Coast Guard.

In 2019 (October), Captain Sinisi was honored for his actions at the prestigious annual maritime search and rescue awards ceremony conducted by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS).

Captain Pietro Sinisi said he was honored to receive such a prestigious award that once again proves that safeguarding human lives is always prioritized at sea. He added that the recognition goes to teamwork, which was fundamental to completing the rescue operation in precarious conditions. In many situations, a ship’s captain must make the right decisions in the shortest time available. But it is even more important to rely upon a competent team that supports the decision-making process, making it easy and possible to achieve the end goal.

Pietro Sinisi, born in Rome in 1972, has been with Costa Cruises since 1995 and became a captain in 2008.

References: eTurboNews, Late Cruise News, Cruise To Travel

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Source: Maritime Shipping News