The story of the Titanic’s captain locking himself in the wheelhouse is iconic, but his body was never recovered, leaving the truth unknown. Legally, captains are not required to go down with the ship—only to ensure everyone’s safety and be the last to leave.
Real-Life Cases: Costa Concordia and Beyond
In the Costa Concordia disaster, the captain faced legal action not for the crash, but for abandoning the ship without ensuring passengers’ safety. Similarly, off the coast of South Africa, a captain and crew left entertainers to manage the evacuation.
The Origin: Navy Captains and Their Duty
This idea of “going down with the ship” stems from naval traditions, where captains of submarines and warships in battle would ensure crew safety and stay behind, taking full responsibility for their vessel.
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Source: Marine Insight
