Neglect of Duty

On January 13, 2012 the captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship miscalculated a turn and ended up in dangerous shallow water in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just off the eastern shore of Isola del Giglio. After striking a rock, the ship suffered a 50 meter gash on the port side of her hull, lost all power and gradually began to sink. 32 people lost their lives in this tragic event. 

What caused great alarm was the neglect of duty on the side of the captain and the crew on board. A conversation between the captain and the coast guard was recorded:

Coast Guard: "Listen, Schettino [the captain]. There are people trapped on board. Now, you go with your lifeboat. Under the bow of the ship, on the right side, there is a ladder. You climb on that ladder and go on board the ship. Go on board the ship and get back to me and tell me how many people are there. Is that clear? I am recording this conversation, Captain Schettino."

Captain: At this moment the ship is listing [tipping].

Coast Guard: "There are people who are coming down the ladder on the bow. Go back in the opposite direction, get back on the ship, and tell me how many people there are and what they have on board. Tell me if there are children, women and what type of help they need. And you tell me the number of each of these categories. Is that clear? Listen Schettino, perhaps you have saved yourself from the sea, but I will make you look very bad. I will make you pay for this. … go back on board!"

Captain: "Please …"

Coast Guard: "There is no ‘please’ about it. Get back on board. Assure me you are going back on board!

Captain: I’m in a lifeboat, I am under here. I am not going anywhere. I am here."

Coast Guard: "What are you doing, captain?"

Captain: "I am here to co-ordinate the rescue …"

Coast Guard (interrupting): “What are you co-ordinating there! Get on board! Co-ordinate the rescue from on board! Are you refusing?"

Captain: "No, I am not refusing."

Coast Guard: "Are you refusing to go aboard, captain? Tell me the reason why you are not going back on board."

Captain: "(inaudible)… there is another lifeboat …"

Coast Guard (interrupting, yelling): "You get back on board! That is an order! There is nothing else for you to consider. You have sounded the ‘Abandon Ship.’  Now I am giving the orders. Get back on board. Is that clear? Don’t you hear me?"

We react with disbelief to such an attitude towards the value of the lives of others! Wouldn't more people have been saved if the captain had done his duty? But before we criticize too harshly let us pause and consider the fact that lives have been run aground and shipwrecked through sin all around us. We have God’s Word and His command to: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). The ship of our society is shipwrecked through sin. People are scrambling for safety, comfort, and security. They will perish and be lost forever if they are not rescued. You and I who know the Gospel hold the key to their rescue. What are we doing with this knowledge? 

Prayerfully consider the people you have daily contact with. Are they saved? Is God waiting for you to obey His command to rescue them? 

Let us not be like this captain who was content with his own safety! By doing that we too could ultimately face the penalty of neglect when we stand before God. Let us “rescue the perishing, care for the dying!”   

John Reimer

Barrhead, AB