Bloglander

An estimated 11 people died and 23 are still missing after the Costa Concordia cruise ship keeled over off the coast of Tuscany last week, but where was the captain while the passengers and crew were scrambling to abandon ship?

In a lifeboat, arguing with the Italian coast guard.

The recording below has been playing on national television in Italy. In it, you hear Captain Francesco Schettino explaining why he's not onboard the still-sinking ship, but he hardly gets a word in edgewise against coast guard official Gregorio DeFalco, who orders the captain back on the ship, getting louder and more belligerent as the recording progresses.

Good listening. (Cristo!)