Dive boat captain faces new charge in California’s worst modern maritime disaster, which killed 34 men
(AP Photo/John Locher, File) FILE – In this Nov. 30, 2012, file photo, a diver inspects the wreck of the passenger ferryboat capsized in San Francisco. A U.S. government watchdog says an underwater survey has established beyond a reasonable doubt that a deadly collision with a grounded cargo ship occurred earlier this year as it did in the 2007 sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise ship. The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that the former captain of the Costa Concordia be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deadly crash. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
SAN FRANCISCO — A U.S. government watchdog says an underwater survey has established beyond a reasonable doubt that a deadly collision with a grounded cargo ship occurred earlier this year as it did in the 2007 sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise ship.
The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that the former captain of the Costa Concordia be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deadly crash. The board also recommended that an officer responsible for a U.S. Coast Guard officer’s actions at the scene of the 2007 incident and the investigation into the Costa Concordia’s sinking be relieved from duty.
John H. Beyrlewicz, the agency’s chief investigator, said Wednesday he plans to recommend the relief of the officer who was aboard the Costa Concordia, which sank with the captain and other passengers when it collided with the cargo ship on July 13. Investigators have previously said the officer’s actions are under review for possible misconduct.
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Beyrlewicz said investigators found that the captain, Francesco Schettino, and the ship’s owner, Costa Cruises, were negligent but it wasn’t clear if the accident was the result of bad maintenance or the fault of the crew.
“The captain and his immediate supervisors were responsible for the crew and the vessel,” he said.
Earlier this year, investigators examined the video of the crash and said the speed