Interesting nav data from Costa Concordia accident

[j_garcia]

You can see in the clip the ship was actually headed in the opposite direction compared to how it ended up on the coast. From all the images on media it appeared straight forward, it just ran aground. But the nav data shows that the ship did a 180 prior to moving in toward shore.

Navigation Data Shows Costa Concordia May Have Had a Steering System Failure

As we already know, Captain Schettino was attempting a very close pass of the ships' port side, at less than one mile. Inexplicably, the ship was going too fast when it initiated the turn. What the navigation data seems to show is that the turn came too late and it wasn't strong enough, which may indicate a steering failure before the first hit. This idea seems reinforced by the fact that he didn't try to back down hard or twin screw—a maneuver that uses both propellers—one forward, one backward—instead of just the rudder to quickly turn the ship.

 

[TLS Guy]

You can see in the clip the ship was actually headed in the opposite direction compared to how it ended up on the coast. From all the images on media it appeared straight forward, it just ran aground. But the nav data shows that the ship did a 180 prior to moving in toward shore.

Navigation Data Shows Costa Concordia May Have Had a Steering System Failure

A big ship like that at full cruising speed will not be stopped by rocks. It will keep moving and go for miles.

The hull was holed in the engine room, so most steering except the thrusters would have been lost.

That ship would have been taking on water very fast. It would be very difficult to have evacuated everybody via life boat at sea because of the ship and listing. Witness accounts from passengers tell of listing very soon after impact.

But for the beaching this could have killed thousands. That is about the only thing the captain says, that makes much sense.

 

[j_garcia]

They are suggesting it may have had steering issues prior to the accident. To me, the data still makes it look like it was an error on the crew's part for the initial impact.

 

[TLS Guy]

They are suggesting it may have had steering issues prior to the accident. To me, the data still makes it look like it was an error on the crew's part for the initial impact.

There where errors alright. You give rocky points like that a wide berth and you certainly don't go into an area like that with a ship that large at full cruising speed!

This whole event is so outside prudent operating procedures at sea. Anybody would think you are making it up, if there were not all the pictures.

Heck, I give a wide berth to rocky outpoints on Leech Lake, and keep the throttle closed close to shore.