Was the Captain showing off? Disturbing claim that cruise ship sailed close to rocks to salute a fellow officer on shore

The captain of the ill-fated Costa Concordia was delivering a ‘salute’ to a friend on shore when he  sailed into disaster, it was claimed last night.


Francesco Schettino, 52, has been arrested on suspicion of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship when the cruise liner ran aground after sustaining a 160ft gash in the port-side hull – leaving at least five dead and 15 missing.

Italian investigators are working on the theory that the £390million vessel sailed close to the island of Giglio to greet an officer from the Italian merchant navy who was friendly with those on the Concordia.     Read Full