Wednesday 18 January 2012

Concordia - Condolences

I would like to express my sincerest condolences to all those who have lost family members and friends on the Costa Cordonia. Whilst the survivors have suffered unimaginable terror, hope remains that those still missing will be found quickly.

Costa Cruises were quick to lay blame solely on the rogue master of the ship - suggesting that he'd taken a bad decision by steering the vessel many nautical miles off course, sailing too close to the island and abandoning ship.  Something which was "unauthorised, unapproved and unknown to Costa".

However, Lloyd's Lists tracking information shows that in August 2011 the Cordonia sailed even closer to the island of Giglio to mark the night of the Shooting Stars Festival, without incident.  The route deviation was apparently authorised by Costa Cruises.


Italian Costa Cruises have surprisingly chosen Clarence Mitchell as their official spokesperson which, depending on his role, may pose a problem considering the many differing nationalities of passengers.  Unless Mr Mitchell happens to be multi-lingual.  

I am not defending the captain in any shape or form - after seeing and hearing the news over the last few days, I am appalled.  However, with headlines such as 'Captain 'fell' into lifeboat', in depth detail and the coastguard recording freely and quickly available to the media, it could be construed that Mr Mitchell is already on the job... and not simply in his capacity as spokesperson?  Deja vu?  Mr Mitchell said "...there is a criminal investigation going on and we're not going to say anything that's going to compromise that or the captain's case."  Too late - Costa Cruises had already publicly washed their hands of the captain, and laid the blame firmly on his shoulders.

Clearly he is representing Costa Cruises alone and not the captain.

Is there a case for corporate manslaughter?  I'm not sure if even Michael Clayton could 'fix' this one, although I know who I'd rather be seeing on the news...

7 comments:

  1. Where Mitchell's concerned the only think TO think is 'cover-up'

    A few links for you, great shots from Cryptome BUT they are offline today in protest of SOPA.

    http://thedisclosureproject-steelmagnolia.blogspot.com/2012/01/images-costa-concordia.html

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  2. Thanks SM, such a tragedy for all involved. I have difficulty looking at the images knowing there are still people inside...

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  3. http://thedisclosureproject-steelmagnolia.blogspot.com/2012/01/costa-concordia-responsible-ones_18.html


    Beginning to understand why they have taken Mitchell on board (no pun intended) have given the link to Spudgun to investigate.

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  4. Thanks, interesting link. They're an Italian company, yet they had over 200 Indian nationals onboard as crew members. I'd like to know what kind of wage they were earning as I think they were probably employing cheap labour, earning more for the bigwigs. Hope Spudgun comes up with something.

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  5. My thoughts exactly, obviously the Phillipino staff were told NOT to speak to the media in this clip.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP3tllnplys&lc=OIZnarQtWkn_EHkEx7ttgOA0IYDocL1CJIBVV7UiIKQ&context=C30494dbADOEgsToPDskJVa90n_A7Oq78QqMZihN6A

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  6. http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/cursed-concordia-born-bad-ended-up-worse-20120116-1q1w2.html

    2008 they blame a storm !

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  7. Is there no pie that Clarence Mitchell doesn"t manage to
    get his finger in????

    This is a huge departure for him and maybe he won"t have time for the McCanns anymore and we will be spared almost
    constant Press exposure they receive .

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