On the 13th of January, 2012 the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a rocky outcropping off the coast of Italy. The ship lost power and propulsion, and came to rest on its starboard side, just meters from the island of Giglio. Panic and chaos ensued on board, with over 4000 passengers and 1000 crew. Captain Francesco Schettino altered the planned course of his ship to perform a sail-by salute, close to Giglio, without informing Costa operations. His mistress, Moldovan dancer Domnica Cemortan, was on the bridge at the time of the accident. Twenty-seven passengers and five crew were killed in the accident, and countless more were injured. Schettino and other deck officers abandoned the helpless ship well before all the passengers were off the ship, earning him the nickname, "Captain Coward."

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