Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in the 2012 disaster that killed 32 people. He is currently serving his sentence at Rome's Rebibbia prison and is not due for full release until 2033, according to Maritime Executive.
The Disaster
On 13 January 2012, the Costa Concordia struck a rock while sailing close to the island of Giglio as a salute. The ship took on water, flooded engine rooms, lost power, and partially sank. Captain Schettino delayed more than an hour before ordering an evacuation and failed to provide accurate information about the severity of the situation. Of the more than 4,000 passengers and crew on board, 32 lost their lives.
Trial and Sentence
Schettino was taken into custody within days and stood trial. He was branded 'Captain Coward' after recordings revealed he abandoned the bridge, boarded a lifeboat, and refused to return despite orders from a Coastguard commander. In court, Schettino claimed he had ordered the ship off course to please a head waiter, as a tribute to a retired captain, and as a spectacle. Prosecutors alleged he steered too close to the island to show off to a dancer. He also cited communication difficulties with the helmsman.
In February 2015, Schettino was convicted of manslaughter and abandoning ship. The sentence comprised ten years for manslaughter, five years for causing the shipwreck, and one year for abandoning passengers, to be served consecutively. After exhausting appeals, he began his sentence in 2017.
Current Status and Release
Schettino is serving his sentence at Rome's Rebibbia prison. Despite attempts for early release or parole, he is not due for full release until 2033. The Netflix documentary 'Shipwrecked: Nightmare At Sea' features never-before-seen footage and survivor accounts, recreating conversations Schettino had with his crew and including images from his trial.
