
THE captain of an Italian luxury cruise ship which had the hull ripped apart on rocks in January is taking ship owner Costa Crociere part of the USA owned Carnival Group to court for firing him, and is also demanding his job back, according to Italy's Repubblica newspaper says.
'Defrocked' Captain Francesco Schettino, who is being investigated for causing the shipwreck, which claimed 32 lives and abandoning the Costa Concordia Crusie ship long before everyone had been evacuated, was fired by Costa at the end of July, the newspaper claimed..
"Costa Crociere confirms that it has concluded the disciplinary procedure against Schettino following the Costa Concordia shipwreck, ordering his dismissal," the company, Europe's biggest cruise operator and part of the USA Carnival Group told the Italian media.
The captain, expects to find out next week whether he will face trial along with eight others for his role in the tragedy, has claimed his actions saved lives and insists Costa reinstate him and hand over back pay.
Schettino's lawyer, Bruno Leporatti, was not available for comment.
A pre-trial hearing in the Tuscan town of Grosseto on Monday will establish whether prosecutors have a case against Schettino, who is accused of performing a risky "salute" manoeuvre close to Giglio island where the ship hit rocks.
Five other crew members and three Costa executives are also being investigated, including Roberto Ferrarini, Costa's fleet crisis coordinator, who was in regular contact with Schettino on the night of the tragedy.
The captain is under house arrest in his home town of Meta di Sorrento, near Naples, but is expected to request permission to attend the closed-door hearing, where experts will present results of analysis of black box data.
Contributor: Media, Cruise Line , Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster & Journalist Julian Bray NUJ, EQUITY UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (UK HOME ISDN 017 33 55 53 19) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5 SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK
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