Over two years after the Costa Concordia struck a rock off the coast and Giglio and capsized, the ship’s disgraced commander, Captain Francesco Schettino embarked aboard the now upright Costa Concordia.
Escorted by court officials and the prosecution, Captain Schettino embarked aboard the Costa Concordia wearing a lifejacket and his typical dark sunglasses.
Schettino’s visit to the Costa Concordia was approved by the presiding judge in his trial, following the defense’s request to be present during the ship examination. The examination consisted of a four hour guided tour of the ship’s generators and elevators, both which the defense claim should not have failed during the ship’s capsizing. The tour of the ship was used as an opportunity for marine experts, the prosecution, and the defendant to examine the ship’s equipment, which will be used as evidence in Schettino’s trial.
Following the ship examination, Captain Schettino, speaking to a group of media members, claimed he has taken responsibility for his actions and could not comment on the Costa Concordia’s state at the time.
The Costa Concordia was recently raised in a multi-hour salvage operation. The ship will be refloated and towed away in June.
Captain Schettino’s trial is still ongoing in an Italian court. If convicted, Schettino could serve up to 20 years in prison.
