According to an Italian news agency, Captain Francesco Schettino abandoned the Costa Concordia more than four hours before the evacuation was complete in spite of being ordered by the Coast Guard to return to his ship. If true, his behaviour is unforgivable. According to the law of the sea – an ancient code of conduct that all sailors are bound by – it is the duty of a ship's captain to remain with a stricken vessel until all the passengers and crew are accounted for. Under no circumstances must he leave the ship before them. (To read more, click here.)
