Experts commented the Costa Concordia disaster at Turkish online maritime portal www.denizhaber.com . Experts agreed on that Captain Francesco Schettino had the goog intention to give a close berth to Giglio Island; but however, Captain's professional skills was not capable to support the scope of this intention.
Tradition Fine, but how about maneouvering skills?
DenizHaber'e maritime experts who commented on the subject, said "a beautiful tradition, but not the same for Captain's skils " in the form of summarized events.
Experts agreed on the good intention of Captain Francesco Schettino's good intention to pass very close to Giglio island-as his predecessors used to do.
But, on the other hand, the rocky shores and rocky sea ground close to the island required expert maneouvering skills, they said.
Was SQUAT accounted for?
According to experts; "Such ships has a draught of about 8 metres, but however, as the ship gets underway, she also "squats". Effect of the squat increases as the ship's speed increase. It might be as much as 3 metres as the ship gets underway up to 15 knots. Effect of squat further increases at shallow waters. Most of the captains either does not know or does not account the effect of squat at restricted waters. This might be the case for Captain Schettino, because he was quoted as saying that the rock should not be there. May be the rock should be there but not the ship. Because it was ship's draught was increased; it was not the waters shallowed" experts said.
Experts also pointed out that electronic equipment was not only be relied upon to navigate in such constrained waters. "The captain could maneouver by his local knowledge at such restricted areas, there is no time to look at electronic equipment and take a decision. Ships drift due to course alterations, even centimeters are important, and squat is also important if the ship's speed is over 5 knots. Therefore, usually such areas are pilotage areas. What taught at schools- even before right is starboard and left is port- is the proverb "SAFETY IS AT OPEN SEAS". The course alteration to Giglio island for a salutation three long is therefore a big risk for ship's safety" experts quoted.
BIG MISTAKE: INTENDED ROUTE of Costa Concordia approaching Giglio Harbour; leaving Scuola island on her starboard side! It seems enough water on-on the paper; but how about SQUAT?
See the full story at denizhaber.com by the following link:
