Does anyone know what credentials/license/certificates/etc. that Capt. Francesco Schettino holds? I’ve read several times now that he was hired by Costa as head of security in 2002; was promoted to captain in 2006; and worked as “second in command” sometime in between that. I know nothing about Italian maritime regulations or licensure. Would the position head of security require some type of documentation as a seafarer? Second in command would be 1st mate, right? Or is it significantly different in Italy or other countries? I’ve never worked on a cruise ship nor have I worked on any vessel remotely close in tonnage to the Costa Concordia. So is it just me or does 4 years seem awfully short to go from head of security to captain? Does anyone have knowledge of Schettino’s previous experience or employment history? For some reason, I thought 52 was relatively young for a position of such great responsibility. Then I remembered that I am the same age. Yikes! First time I’ve thought of myself as “young” in over a decade. 