Cruise Ship Captain Who Fled Wreck That Killed 32 Seeks Parole, Eyes Vatican Job

Francesco Schettino, the former captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship that sank in 2012, may soon be eligible for partial parole and has a job waiting for him at the Vatican.

The Roman court handling his case has scheduled a hearing for April 8 to decide on his request for “semi-freedom.” If granted, he would be allowed to work outside prison during the day before returning to his cell at night.

Schettino, aged 63, has served over half of his 16-year and one-month sentence for the disaster, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people.

Under a rehabilitation program run by the prisoner support group “Seconda Chance,” he could work at Fabbrica di San Pietro, a Vatican institution responsible for preserving St. Peter’s Basilica.

His role would involve digitising historical documents alongside other inmates participating in similar initiatives. On January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia struck an underwater rock and capsized near Giglio Island, Tuscany.

The accident was one of the most catastrophic maritime disasters in Italy’s history, with 32 fatalities and a wreck removal cost of around $2 billion, making it the most expensive salvage operation ever undertaken.

Schettino had navigated the vessel close to shore in what was described as a “salute” to honour a retired cruise line commodore. However, the maneuver led to the ship running aground and partially sinking.

Allegations also surfaced that he veered off course to impress a female dancer who was on the ship’s bridge, though he was denied this claim.

Following the disaster, Schettino was convicted in 2015 on multiple charges, including manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and abandoning ship.

However, his legal representatives have argued that the collision itself did not cause the fatalities. Instead, they claim that the failure of a backup generator and flooding of key compartments led to the chaotic evacuation.

Schettino has never admitted full responsibility for the tragedy, blaming miscommunication on the bridge, technical issues, and flaws in the vessel’s design.

The case also gave rise to a new Italian expression, “Fare lo Schettino” (“Do the Schettino”), referring to acts of cowardice. Currently held at Rebibbia Prison in Rome, Schettino has already been involved in digitising legal records for the past five years.

His past work includes handling court files related to the kidnapping and murder of Italian politician Aldo Moro. If granted parole, he would join other prisoners working for the Vatican under a rehabilitation program backed by Pope Francis, who has long advocated for humane prison conditions.

Many believe that he should serve his full sentence. According to local media reports, Giovanni Girolamo, the father of a crew member who died in the sinking, stated that the former captain “must not be released, but given 32 life sentences.”

References: katholisch

Source: Maritime Shipping News