MOSCOW, December 2 (Sputnik) — Francesco Schettino, captain of the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship, took the stand for the first time Tuesday in central Italy's Grosseto court.
In his first court questioning, the captain of the shipwrecked Costa Concordia testified that the fatal accident in January 2012 was the result of a mistake. The Concordia capsized off the coast of Italy, killing 32 passengers.
Schettino is charged with manslaughter, causing a maritime disaster and abandoning ship with passengers still on board. He faces up to 22 years in prison if convicted.
He remained defiant during his speech blaming his officers on board who did not inform him on time that the ship was headed for the reefs. He also pointed finger at others for the chaotic evacuation of the ship's passengers.
There were more than 4000 people onboard when Costa Concordia hit rocks, flooding the ship and forcing passengers to leave.
"Don't think I am not tormented," said the former captain, "the genesis of the disaster was a stupid mistake." He said he wanted to "kill three birds with one stone." He wanted to do the chief waiter a favor and visit his relatives in Giglio. He wanted to meet his friend, retired captain Mario Palumbo, and he wanted to put up a show for his passengers, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Schettino said he navigated close to the island without informing officials from Costa Crociere, owners of the Concordia, because the island was not a "touristic route" and was considered an "approach".
The former captain also denied having abandoned the ship, saying that he was thrown into the waters.
His defense also maintains that no one died because of the actual collision, but that a backup generator failed and water-tight compartments got flooded, creating problems for people wanting to escape. Four other crew members held responsible for the disaster discussed plea agreements and received sentences in prison ranging from 18 months to over two years.
The court might reach its verdict by the beginning of next year.
