2014’s Sewol ferry sinking in South Korea led to almost 300 deaths. In 2012, Costa Concordia ran aground in Italy, claiming 32 lives. The wheels of justice for those harmed and hurt by these tragedies are still turning this 2015, as courts on opposite sides of the globe continue to deliberate and decide on the fate of the persons considered accountable for these heartbreaking incidents. Kemplon Engineering reports on the latest legal developments faced by the Captain of the South Korean Coast Guard during Sewol’s botched rescue attempt; and Costa Concordia’s notorious Captain Schettino.

The 2014 sinking of Sewol had claimed almost 300 lives in South Korea, many of them young students on a school trip. The listing and eventual sinking of the ferry was said to have been caused by unstable structural modifications and overloading, at a high center of gravity. In the wake of the disaster is a long list of convictions that includes sentences for the president of the company that owns the ferry (10 years); other company officials (up to 6 years); the captain of the Sewol (36 years); and other crew (up to 30 years). The latest sentence was meted out this February to the South Korean Coast Guard captain whose rescue vessel was first on the scene. The charges? Professional negligence, which is said to have wasted time and delayed evacuation; and for falsely reporting that he had ordered an evacuation. He is sentenced to 4 years.

Luxury liner Costa Concordia partially capsized in January 2012, leading to 32 deaths. The Captain of the ill-fated ship was Francesco Schettino, who was charged with multiple manslaughter and dereliction of duty. Captain Schettino was the only defendant left in the case after other co-defendants entered plea agreements in 2013 and did not serve any jail time. Captain Schettinio’s 19-month trial ended with a sentence of 16 years in prison.

As these two tragedies show, when disaster happens, few escape untouched by its rippling effects. When lives are lost, their families are hurt, a horrified public watches and sympathizes, and those accountable face harsh justice. Beyond that, there are environmental consequences, lost tourism income, political consequences, legal costs, and salvage costs. We at Kemplon Engineering hope that incidents like these make us all—companies, crew, passengers, governments and search and rescue operations—better prepared and positioned for safer sailing.

References:
Bartlett, Charlie. “Korean coast guard captain jailed over Sewol.” Seatrade Global, 12 Feb 2015. Web. 20 Feb 2015. http://www.seatrade-global.com/news/asia/korean-coast-guard-captain-jailed-over-sewol.html
“Costa Concordia Captain Sentenced to 16 Years.” Maritime Executive, 11 Feb 2015. Web. 21 Feb 2015. http://maritime-executive.com/article/costa-concordia-captain-sentenced-to-16-years
Kwon, KJ and Tim Hume. “South Korean coast guard captain jailed for 4 years over botched Sewol rescue.” CNN, 12 Feb 2015. Web. 20 Feb 2015. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/12/world/korea-sewol-coast-guard-jailed/
Lane, Lea. “Costa Concordia "Captain Coward" Sentenced To 16 Years, Which Reminds Us: Is Cruising Really Safe?.” Forbes, 12 Feb 2015. Web. 21 Feb 2015. http://www.forbes.com/sites/lealane/2015/02/12/costa-concordia-captain-is-sentenced-to-16-years-which-reminds-us-again-is-cruising-safe/
Laursen, Wendy. “Coast Guard Captain Sentenced over Sewol.” Maritime Executive¸11 Feb 2015. Web. 20 Feb 2015. http://maritime-executive.com/article/coast-guard-captain-sentenced-over-sewol
Nadeau, Barbie Latza, Holly Yan and Greg Botelho. “Costa Concordia captain convicted in deadly shipwreck.” CNN, 11 Feb 2015. Web. 21 Feb 2015. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/11/world/costa-concordia-trial/
“South Korea coast guard captain jailed over Sewol ferry rescue bid.” BBC, 11 Feb 2015. Web. 20 Feb 2015. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31412680
Turner, Kayla. “Schettino's Fate in Judges' Hands.” Maritime Executive, 10 Feb 2015. Web. 21 Feb 2015. http://maritime-executive.com/article/schettinos-fate-in-judges-hands