Costa Concordia Disaster - What happened?

Professional Mariner Forum
62

The following story is written by the GSM of the Concordia…

“Unfortunately I don’t have my nametag to photograph, because I lost it at sea, along with my camera! My name is Katia Keyvanian, I am The GSM (Guest Service Manager) embarked on the 13th of January to substitute my colleague on the Concordia. I can write only a few lines, as I have a train to catch to go home! I would love to be invited by Giletti, Mentana, Vinci and all the other journalists, who without knowledge of the facts and who without verifying their sources, only write nonsense! I wish I could respond to the flood of nonsense and lies that have been said! But for now, until I can say more I can only say this;

‘We evacuated 4000 people in the dark, with the ship inclined on it’s side, in less than two hours! Those who are “incompetent” are not able to do this. It is not true that the captain was first to leave the ship. I was on the last boat and he remained attached to the railing of deck 3, while the ship was sinking.

Shame on you incompetent journalists who wrote that he was the first to leave! I was on the lifeboat, that was sailing away and about to be crushed by the hoist of the sinking ship, which was about to break through our roof. We pulled a lot of guests into the lifeboat who had ended up in the sea, and as we undressed a girl in wet clothes to cover her with a blanket, a guest filmed us with his phone! Shame on you! We executed a rescue operation at sea, and as we pulled another gentleman out of the water, me with a rope tied around my wrist for more strength to pull him up, another man was taking pictures! Shame on you! we had to manage a flock of sheep in jeopardy and then are told that we were incompetent?! Shame on you! While I was inclined to release people who were pushing and screaming, one by one into the boat, a large man who was obviously a passenger smoked a cigarette.

When I asked “What the fuck are you doing smoking a cigarette in this state, in the dark, with fuel that could come out of the boat?!” and his response was, “I need it for stress. I have one thing more to add, before I miss my train ……… We worked for the guests, to save them, to take them to safety, if they are saved, it is only thanks to us alone, all the crew, who did everything.

We do not want to be thanked, NO, we have only done our duty, but we do not want to hear all the nonsense, lies, and more lies, just to give you the “scoop” of these so called broadcasts.
4000 PEOPLE IN TWO HOURS, IN THE DARK … with the ship tilted, we took them WE, THE STAFF CONCORDIA TO SHORE.

They did not go themselves in buckets and shovels themselves to the shore! We brought them!! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents of Isola del Giglio, the mayor, who came on board, to verify the situation, (not knowing who he was because he did not have a life jacket!) Thank you with all my heart all, al…l the islanders who worked for all of us, with maximum availability, giving us their colorful blankets, some even knitted of crochet, looking for cell phone chargers, and so much more. Thanks to all of them. Now I’m off to catch a train and go home. See you soon. Oh, I forgot …. one more thing I would like to say,
Shame on you!!

63

[QUOTE=Mikey;61023]The following story is written by the GSM of the Concordia…

“Unfortunately I don’t have my nametag to photograph, because I lost it at sea, along with my camera! My name is Katia Keyvanian, I am The GSM (Guest Service Manager) embarked on the 13th of January to substitute my colleague on the Concordia. I can write only a few lines, as I have a train to catch to go home! I would love to be invited by Giletti, Mentana, Vinci and all the other journalists, who without knowledge of the facts and who without verifying their sources, only write nonsense! I wish I could respond to the flood of nonsense and lies that have been said! But for now, until I can say more I can only say this;

‘We evacuated 4000 people in the dark, with the ship inclined on it’s side, in less than two hours! Those who are “incompetent” are not able to do this. It is not true that the captain was first to leave the ship. I was on the last boat and he remained attached to the railing of deck 3, while the ship was sinking.

Shame on you incompetent journalists who wrote that he was the first to leave! I was on the lifeboat, that was sailing away and about to be crushed by the hoist of the sinking ship, which was about to break through our roof. We pulled a lot of guests into the lifeboat who had ended up in the sea, and as we undressed a girl in wet clothes to cover her with a blanket, a guest filmed us with his phone! Shame on you! We executed a rescue operation at sea, and as we pulled another gentleman out of the water, me with a rope tied around my wrist for more strength to pull him up, another man was taking pictures! Shame on you! we had to manage a flock of sheep in jeopardy and then are told that we were incompetent?! Shame on you! While I was inclined to release people who were pushing and screaming, one by one into the boat, a large man who was obviously a passenger smoked a cigarette.

When I asked “What the fuck are you doing smoking a cigarette in this state, in the dark, with fuel that could come out of the boat?!” and his response was, “I need it for stress. I have one thing more to add, before I miss my train ……… We worked for the guests, to save them, to take them to safety, if they are saved, it is only thanks to us alone, all the crew, who did everything.

We do not want to be thanked, NO, we have only done our duty, but we do not want to hear all the nonsense, lies, and more lies, just to give you the “scoop” of these so called broadcasts.
4000 PEOPLE IN TWO HOURS, IN THE DARK … with the ship tilted, we took them WE, THE STAFF CONCORDIA TO SHORE.

They did not go themselves in buckets and shovels themselves to the shore! We brought them!! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents of Isola del Giglio, the mayor, who came on board, to verify the situation, (not knowing who he was because he did not have a life jacket!) Thank you with all my heart all, al…l the islanders who worked for all of us, with maximum availability, giving us their colorful blankets, some even knitted of crochet, looking for cell phone chargers, and so much more. Thanks to all of them. Now I’m off to catch a train and go home. See you soon. Oh, I forgot …. one more thing I would like to say,
Shame on you!![/QUOTE]

I’m always hesitant when I read something written in nearly fluent English by someone who’s first language is not English. I’m not saying it’s fake, but I bet lots more of this stuff pops up pretty soon.

64

[QUOTE=Observer;61009]These photos of an AIS or ECDIS screen have emerged on several forums without any attribution:

Does anyone recognize the user interface as something from a live ECDIS as opposed to a training simulator? These do not look like Photoshop jobs but they could be faked through other means.[/QUOTE]

I don’t recognize the software either, but I agree with c.captain that it’s probably a simulator replay. If you look at the timestamp, it’s today’s date.

If this is really the track of the ship and the dimensions are somewhat close, what the hell were they thinking?? I know that if I was on watch and this was the voyage plan, I wouldn’t have done that. I hope we get to see the VDR transcript of this - it should be pretty interesting.

65

[QUOTE=New3M;61025]I’m always hesitant when I read something written in nearly fluent English by someone who’s first language is not English. I’m not saying it’s fake, but I bet lots more of this stuff pops up pretty soon.[/QUOTE]

It’s just slightly awkward enough to be believable, and her word choices and phrasing indicate she is not a native english speaker. It’s hard to fake that. Don’t forget she’s a manager, and would be required to have excellent English skills.

66

Has a salvage contract or a salvage master been assigned?

67

Smit has the salvage contract.

68

You know they are licking their lips on this one.

69

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. :wink:

70

video from August

71

The original post is in italian: http://www.ilpost.it/2012/01/15/costa-concordia-scrive-un-membro-dellequipaggio/

It has been translated fairly well by someone and with only a few errors (e.g. she actually scolded the Mayor because he was not wearing a life jacket, not knowing who he was).

I have been on three Costa cruises as a passenger, and the truth is that most of the 1,000+ crew is really just hotel staff that have been given some training. I doubt any of these would act like “sailors” in case of need. She may be one of the more senior clerks/officers at the equivalent of the hotel reception, dealing with complaints, credit card charges, sightseeing tours and other similar issues that 3000 PAX generate.

However, at the same time I believe everything she says. The kind of passengers I have seen on the ship are not the type that go for the real sea experience. Most of them are probably scared of being at sea and would never step on a rocking sailing boat (e.g. my wife). They go for the big ships because they don’t roll, and because most of the time you think you are either inside a “love boat” episode, or in a las vegas hotel.

I think these boats have just become to big.

Despite Schettino being an obvious idiot, probably turned captain only thanks to italian company “nepotism”, the decision to turn back and beach the ship must have saved hundreds.

Lucio

72

[QUOTE=New3M;61028] I hope we get to see the VDR transcript of this - it should be pretty interesting.[/QUOTE]

The more I think about this, the more I wonder if he really did try to “thread the needle.” It was pitch dark, who would see it and the YouTube videos would have been worthless. I wonder if it is more likely that he struck the port side running too close to the seaward rock and due to free surface, capsized while making the sharp turn to port to enter the harbor at Giglio.

Just another WAG because so little offered up so far makes any sense at all.

73

I don’t know…if only the port side is damaged she should have settled back upright (or at least righted herself some) or kept going over if all stability was lost which I do not believe the case was. The photos show her settling with a starboard list but not severe. I also think there are photos showing underwater damage to starboard as well. My speculation is that while “threading the needle” the ship hit one one side and then in panic the helm was put over to get off that side of the passage and in the process struck the other side. If the ship went through that hole, the was zero margin for any maneuvering.

Is there evidence of the ship going through there in earlier voyages? If so, then they were doing it again thinking “it’s fine, we’ve done it before and had no problem”. UTTER HUBRIS AND CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!

74

I just read that two pieces of the Costa Concordia’s hull and paint was found on rocks “92 to 96 meter from shore”. This information from Genoa police divers.

75

[B]OMG. Some interesting audio recordings were released today. wow. Conversation between Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino and Coast Guard Commander Gregorio Maria De Falco.
[/B]
Schettino: It’s Capt. Schettino.

De Falco: Schettino, listen to me. There are people trapped onboard, now you go back, you will go with your rescue boat under the stern of the ship, there are some steps, you climb those steps and you get onboard and you get back to me letting me know how many people are on board. Is that clear to you? I am actually recording this conversation captain.

De Falco: Speak in a louder voice.

Schettino: So, the ship right now [inaudible]

De Falco: Speak in a loud voice! Put your hand by the microphone to cover it and speak up! Is that clear?

Schettino: So, right now the ship is tilted…

De Falco: I understand that. Listen to me, there are people that are getting off using the rope ladder on the stern side, you go back there and you go up that ladder the opposite way, you go onboard the ship and you tell me how many people [are there] And what they need. You tell me if there are children, women or people that need assistance and you give me a number for each one of these categories is that clear? Look Schettino, you may have saved yourself from the sea but will put you through a lot of trouble it will be very bad for you! Get back on board for [expletive]'s sake!!!

Schettino: Officer, please.

De Falco: There are no “pleases”! Get back on board! Please assure me that you are going back on board.

Schettino: I am here on the rescue boat. I’m right here, I didn’t go anywhere else, I’m here.

De Falco: What are you doing captain?

Schettino: I’m here to coordinate rescue operations.

De Falco: What are you coordinating? Get back on board and coordinate rescue operations from onboard the ship.

Schettino: [inaudible]

De Falco: Do you refuse to do that?

Schettino: No, I’m not refusing to do that.

De Falco: What? Are you refusing to back on board?

Schettino: No, I am not refusing to go back. I am not going because the other rescue boat stopped.

De Falco: Get back on board! This is an order! You don’t need to make any other assessment. You have declared that you have abandoned ship, therefore I’m in command. Get back on board right now is that clear?

Schettino: Officer…

De Falco: Can you hear me?

Schettino: Yes, I am getting back on board.

De Falco: Then go! And call me right away when you are on board. There’s my rescuer there.

Schettino: Where is your rescuer?

De Falco: My rescuer is on the stern side, go! There are already bodies, Schettino! Go

Schettino: Officer how many bodies are there?

De Falco: I don’t know. I know about one. I have heard about one, but you must tell me [expletive]!

Schettino: Do you realize it’s dark out here and we can’t see anything?

De Falco: What do you want to do ? Do you want to go home? It’s dark so you want to go home? Get on the stern of that ship climb the ladder and tell me what can be done, how many people are there and what they need. Right now!

Schettino: I’m here with my second officer.

De Falco: You and your second officer must get back on board right now is that clear?

Schettino: I just wanted to tell you that the other rescue boat here with other rescuers stopped. It’s just stopped. Now I’ve called the other rescuers.

De Falco: You’ve been telling me the same thing for an hour now get back on board! On board! And you get back to me right away telling me how many people are there.

Schettino: It’s fine officer, I’m going.

De Falco: Then go. Right now!

Schettino: I have spoken to the company and there seem to be some people still onboard, possibly about one hundred.

De Falco: And you can’t even give me a precise number? You say, ‘There seem to be?’"

Schettino: Well, we were carrying out evacuation procedures, but now all the officers have gathered on the rescue boat with me."

De Falco: Where are you guys? All on the rescue boat? Excuse me, earlier you told me you where with one colleague only – now all the officers are there?

Schettino: Yes, there’s me, my second officer, and…

De Falco: If the officers were able to get down there, it means they were still able to move…

Schettino: Indeed, now.

De Falco: Then why are they not going back on board to see what the situation is like and then tell us about it, thank you? Send them on board! Send someone on board to coordinate!

Schettino: Now it’s not…

De Falco: Send someone back on board!

Schettino: I am try to coordinate that.

De Falco: I am giving you an order. You must send someone onboard now!

Schettino: We are going on board to coordinate ourselves…

De Falco: Exactly! You must go onboard to coordinate the disembarking! Is that clear?

Schettino: We can no longer get on board now, the ship has sunk completely.

De Falco: Why did you allow them to get off, captain?

Schettino: I didn’t. We just abandoned ship.

De Falco: With 100 people still on board you abandon ship? [expletive]

Schettino: I didn’t abandon any ship… because the ship turned on its side quickly and we were catapulted into the water.

De Falco: We’ll clarify later what actually happened… for now tell me everything that goes on, everything! Place yourself under the ship with your rescue boat and don’t leave.

Schettino: We’re here. We’re here.

[I]via http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/court_more_bodies_found_inside_costa_LHYj9iHhJTNm7EYwZ5kNIP[/I]

76

Wellllll this guy’s toast. What an idiot.

77

I am an airline pilot, not a mariner, so please excuse my intrusion into your professional lives.

I am trying to draw parallels between shipping and aviation to see whether lessons can be shared in safety critical areas.

I realise it’s far too early to draw conclusions from the information available so far with the faltering of the Costa Concordia, and that it will probably take many years until the final report is released, so I’ll try to be generic in my approach.

I am interested to hear your thoughts on the following:

Is there an open and honest safety reporting culture within the shipping industry that encourages a no-blame approach to the reporting of safety-related incidents, with regard to learning lessons and promulgating safety-related material? And is this information shared through a formal publications throughout companies and the industry?

Are all crew members (officers or not) encouraged to monitor and speak out when they see safety-related incidents arising? Would crew members on the bridge at the time be complicit in a wrong decision of the Master, if they didn’t speak up? Is the power gradient on the Bridge such that junior officers are afraid to speak out?

Is there an initial and on-going training approach to teach and develop cognitive command skills, such as decision making, situational awareness and crew management (we call this CRM in aviation)?

Do ships have active data monitoring systems in place, where parameters are monitored and alerts flagged up when pre-determined datums are exceeded, I.E if a ship’s crew inadvertently or deliberately departs from an operating limitation or procedure? Could a crew hot rocks, not sink, not report it and get away with it?

We have a similar professional pilots forum called PPRUNE and a lot of members would be suspicious of a first-time poster probing the forum after an accident, fearing it to be a journalistic intrusion, which This is not.

78

Its been hard to post on here since this happened! Keep getting server is too busy messages.

So going back to post #55 for the “hypothetical track”: If the ECDIS track was something that was created on a simulator, so be it for now. The data recorder will tell the truth soon enough.

Now, using our friend Google Earth, if you measure the space between the outcropping of rocks, not accounting for depth, you only have 220’ of width to transit! The ship has a beam of 125’ which leaves 47’ on each side, even if there was adequate water.

If you want to get close to the island, fine, but even 1nm offshore is still plenty close!

79

[QUOTE=gavin737;61071]I am an airline pilot, not a mariner, so please excuse my intrusion into your professional lives.

I am trying to draw parallels between shipping and aviation to see whether lessons can be shared in safety critical areas.

I realise it’s far too early to draw conclusions from the information available so far with the faltering of the Costa Concordia, and that it will probably take many years until the final report is released, so I’ll try to be generic in my approach.

I am interested to hear your thoughts on the following:

Is there an open and honest safety reporting culture within the shipping industry that encourages a no-blame approach to the reporting of safety-related incidents, with regard to learning lessons and promulgating safety-related material? And is this information shared through a formal publications throughout companies and the industry?

Are all crew members (officers or not) encouraged to monitor and speak out when they see safety-related incidents arising? Would crew members on the bridge at the time be complicit in a wrong decision of the Master, if they didn’t speak up? Is the power gradient on the Bridge such that junior officers are afraid to speak out?

Is there an initial and on-going training approach to teach and develop cognitive command skills, such as decision making, situational awareness and crew management (we call this CRM in aviation)?

Do ships have active data monitoring systems in place, where parameters are monitored and alerts flagged up when pre-determined datums are exceeded, I.E if a ship’s crew inadvertently or deliberately departs from an operating limitation or procedure? Could a crew hot rocks, not sink, not report it and get away with it?

We have a similar professional pilots forum called PPRUNE and a lot of members would be suspicious of a first-time poster probing the forum after an accident, fearing it to be a journalistic intrusion, which This is not.[/QUOTE]

Every question you ask is well thought out and very appropriate to the accident and as far as I am concerned your participation here is most welcomed. The answers to those questions however are unfortunately not easy to answer. So much is dependent on the culture. Different nations have different professional cultures (Italy or Greece would no doubt be more lax than say the UK or Norway), different industry sectors (mine, offshore oil is very safety conscious and the reporting of safety lapses in an anonymous manner is not only available but actively encouraged to be used), bridge environment is a function of the personality of the master and the policies of the ship owner (one would think a company with as much legal liability and financial exposure as Canrnival would have very strict policies and not place men into command who did not uphold them).

What I think will be as interesting as the acutal cause of the accident is to discover if the practice of taking the ship farther inshore to give a show to the passengers is more common that Costa/Carnival wants us to believe? If these unecessary risks are taken to give passengers a show then what others? The whole cruise industry in one of recretainment and making sure the guests go home with great photos and stories is a huge part of the package that is sold by the various lines. I have always been stunned now the cruise lines will send vessels without ice class into the waters of Antarctica? Such actions border in the criminal if there was a serious marine accident there are no rescue resources there.

There is no question in my mind that this will be a game changer with regards as to how cruise ships operate from here on out.

.

80

[QUOTE=gavin737;61071]I am an airline pilot, not a mariner, so please excuse my intrusion into your professional lives.

I am trying to draw parallels between shipping and aviation to see whether lessons can be shared in safety critical areas.[/QUOTE]

Welcome, gavin737,61071), you are among similar folks, I invite you to look at my profile.
I’m a retired professional Merchant Seaman although I’m not unfamiliar with your profession, as indicated in my profile information.
c.captain covered the bases for you so not much I can add other than welcome you and look forward to your inputs.

81

You call it CRM, we call it BRM (bridge resource management). In the US the safety culture is there but various from company to company. The foreign operatorations like this ship are an unknown to most here.