Cruise ship's death toll rises to 13; captain says he 'fell off' ship

But he admitted he had made it to the shore aboard a motorized lifeboat which was difficult to steer and which may have run over people as they floundered in the water.

This sentence is extremely suspect. I am thinking he did not admit his boat may have run people over, and that was added in that way for dramatic effect.

What time did he get to shore? Why did he go to shore? Why do I have to ask these key questions?

Time to come clean Captain,your hole just keeps getting deeper and deeper.

he tripped of the girl legs he was dancing with on the bridge?

That excuse sounds like "the dog ate my homework". I suppose he was dripping wet then?

But he admitted he had made it to the shore aboard a motorized lifeboat which was difficult to steer and which may have run over people as they floundered in the water.

So ... he admits that his boat was intent on getting to shore instead of giving out a helping hand to those people in the water.

Naruhodo.

The Coastguard repeatedly asked the Captain to return to the ship to supervise the rescue of passengers and crew and to keep the Coastguard informed on his return as to the situation. When no positive response was returned, the Captain was ordered to reboard. Even if as he claimed, that he initialy fell overboard, it was his duty to return and suppervise the rescue and safe evacuation from the stricken ship

Shetteno is a disgrace to Italy , to Napoli, and to all ship captains!

Tripped and fell into a lifeboat! Oh, woe is me! So why then did he quickly speed to shore, running over people on this way? Why not get back on the ship and 'save thousands' as he claims his actions did? This guy redefines coward, and I hope he redefines prison sentencing.

He had lost his footing and fallen off as the vessel lurched onto its side, he said.

And I saw the restaurant waiter has fallen into the same life life boat and as a captain I immediately started giving order "uno cappuccino per favore"

Me, a coward? A vile person that ran away?

No never, I told him "pagare per favore". And payed for my cappuccino. I am an hones man. And while drinking my cappuccino I was waiting there for long time to see if anybody else would fall into the life boat, but they all fell into the water. What could I have done? Once when I was young I fell into the water, it was a terrible experience, everything was so cold and wet and the water literally flowed into my pocket. I hate water, I hate the sea.

I won't be surprised if this idiot captain gets killed or kills himself from all the shame,IMHO.

This capitano should have his picture in Wikipedia under idiot,coward, useless no good etc...anything BAD put this evil coward's picture!!

Sadly the captain has now become a bit of a laughing stock. Punch and Judy anyone?

He has done nothing for our side, so perhaps he should offered over as a new captain for the Taliban.

what a tool, send him to jail for 25 years.

sunhawk: "what a tool, send him to jail for 25 years."

Agreed, except that it should be 25 years per death, plus a $400 million slap as the cost of the ship he so casually decided to risk.

Poor bloke. Can you imagine being renowned and reviled for legendary cowardice - in ITALY?

@Ivan

He's already gained legendary status there, with t-shirts printed specially printed the famous line given him: "Get back onboard, &@#!%"

Wonder if he was hired merely on the basis of his looks to fit the image of the dashing and handsome ship captain.

You can criticize the captain all you want, but a coward is a coward.

Why ride those European liners when American ones are so much better?

Asisde from the patriotic drivel, what makes you think a dumbass Italian captain wouldn't manage to put a US built ship on the rocks?

His story changes more everyday. Typical macho, all mouth and no trousers. I hope they bang him up fro a good while.