They say loose lips sink ships. Especially if those lips were loosened with alcohol. Reports are now coming out that some passengers witnessed Captain Francesco Schettino drinking at the bar with a “beautiful woman” shortly before his ship hit a rocky crag close to the shores of the Italian island of Giglio. On top of that, Italian prosecutors claim Schettino was steering the ship near the rocky shore to send a greeting signal to a friend - sounds suspiciously like the maritime version of a drunken booty call disaster.
Plus there is the news that the captain basically fled the scene of the accident asap – turning the phrase the”captain goes down with the ship” on its head, and getting arrested and hauled off in handcuffs promptly thereafter. This may turn out to be a bigger DUI on the high seas than the Exxon Valdez of the late 80′s . It may end up his action resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen people as many passenegers are still missing. What does a vehicular homicide charge with over 4000 passengers look like? – that’s the potential for more victims than even a 9/11 like event. Mind boggling.
I hate to admit it, but the thought that the captain had been drinking immediately came to mind at first hearing of the wreck. I could see the thought too had crossed TDA’s mind, even though we never brought it up in a discussion of the event at a birthday party this weekend. I’m sure the truth will come out and I’m not sure why – but I hope that alcohol was not a factor in the accident – although my gut tells me it was.
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Just started a new blog. Thought you might find it interesting. Your site helped me with the idea.
http://www.youngdrunks.wordpress.com
Cheers
Hey Zen , I read your story – and believe me when I say we can all relate. Don’t feel alone cause your not. From what I read – the good thing is that your young – the bad thing is that it sounds like your relationship with alcohol is well on it’s way to becoming unmanageable. Your taking the right steps by realizing that now and it sounds like your ready to do something about it. We are not preachy here – there are many path’s to sobriety. I hope you find something here that helps you – for me it was jail and AA initially http://discoveringalcoholic.com/alcoholism/letters-from-hell-%e2%80%93-part-7
- but i have needed so much more since. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.