We’re for the fair treatment of seafarers who figure in marine accidents, for due process, for legal assistance to the accused and for justice tempered with mercy. Those who are not, we dare say, are stone-hearted. But we don’t understand the calls for leniency towards the Filipino master of the MV Rena, which ran aground in October 2011 and caused New Zealand’s worst ever maritime environmental disaster, and the Italian master of the Costa Concordia, which partially sank after hitting a rock off the Italian coast in January 2012, killing at least 32 persons and injuring scores of others.
Some bleeding liberal hearts have called for a suspended sentence for the Rena’s Captain Mauro Balomaga and his second officer, Leonil Relon. The two gentlemen were each meted seven months in jail in May after earlier pleading guilty to several charges, including operating a ship in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk to persons or property. Those who defend the Filipino officers’ actions seem to make light of the fact that they had doctored the ship documents to cover up their faults. It was the course of justice, not only the Astrolabe Reef, that took a blow in this instance.
Calls have been made as well for Captain Francesco Schettino, skipper of the Costa Concordia, to be set free. The man has been under house arrest since shortly after the accident. He has denied charges of multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship before all those aboard could be safely evacuated. And it may well be that he’ll be proved innocent. In the meantime, why not let the investigation and the wheels of justice run?
Captain Schettino’s defenders – who, ironically, include those advocating greater professionalism amongst seafarers – say he will never get a fair trial given the negative media publicity generated by Costa Concordia affair. That seems to imply that justice in Italy has no blindfold and the international press is a pack of rumormongers. And what about those killed in the tragedy? Mercy is a good thing but it needs to be tempered with justice. Let Lady Justice decide the measure of each.
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Captain Francesco Schettino should be jailed, the first master to board a life boat while his passengers were still scampering for safety.
I am quite aware of the two foremost advocates for greater professionalism among seafarers. One came out during the Prestige incident with a stand which was well supported by reason. But the other’s stand on the master of the Costa Concordia is a dubious one and does not speak well of that organization.
Thanks for your comment. Would you happen to be referring to the IFSMA (International Federation of Ship Masters’ Associations) and The Nautical Institute?
Right on my friend, right on!
Schettino was following in the fine tradition of the Captain of the OCEANUS, Captain Avranas, who was one of the first ashore as his ship went down, apparently leaving a member of the passenger entertainment team (Moss Hills) to actually run the rescue of passengers on board.
The skipper (Schettino) should be jailed after due procedures have been conducted. My opinion – he will never have a good sound sleep.
Lives have been lost through the actions of a show-off….. why keep him under house arrest? Are the jails too full with other more pressing convicts? I was also made to believe that his company has also disassociated themselves with the skipper’s actions. I hope the Italian justice will prevail.
There are now three advocates of seafarers’ professionalism anchored on disregarding safety codes of conduct for seafarers….Welcome to the club Capt. Boucher.
Mr Boucher: Good day Sir. Obviously you distinguished many things in black and white. If I were to name these countries, I am afraid you would have to stay in your perceived paradise. Not sure if you still need to go ashore?
Nice watchkeeper, Sir
Mr Boucher: As an additonal comment, would you happen to read Mbcuanzon
Posted Saturday 16th June 2012 at 7:26 am.
Still thinking of going ashore, Sir?
I must admit I don’t read any ordinary BLOGs as they are unnecessarily taking up my precious time. BUT I just cannot help reading your distinguished profile. http://www.blogger.com/profile/13548730100057506930
Am I to believe that you have participated in testing Nuclear Weapons too? If so please give me the name of it so I do not travel there, too.
Gentlemen, please. Both sides have vented their emotions. Enough of the ad hominem arguments.