Mystery Surrounds Loss
Of Italian Chef Angelo Faliva
By Mike Groves
I read with sadness the news that yet another young, vibrant and seemingly happy crewmember has apparently "disappeared" from yet another cruise ship, the ‘Coral Princess’ and yet the company, his employers can only really round off the incident as “We are really very puzzled . . . We do not know what happened.”
Puzzled – lets look at that word. As we all know its definition means to be perplexed or confused, to ponder or study over some perplexing problem or matter
Sorry I am more than puzzled, I am appalled! I am appalled that yet again a monolithic liner – a modern ‘floating’ city with reams of close circuit television camera’s (CCTV) affixed to numerous points both internally and most certainly externally on board the Coral Princess, appears to have yielded no footage at all?
“We do not know what happened.” – While we are on the subject let us look at this word as well – happened - to take place; come to pass; occur: Something interesting is always happening in New York, to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design: Do not ask me what caused it—it just happened, that's all.
Can someone within the cruise industry please explain to me how this same vein of ‘we do not know’; this corporate fed curve ball that invariably wings it way out over the pitch line always appears from their lips in some shape or form each and every time something happens, and which may just ‘upset the guests?
It is just so condescending and ignorant, not just to the loved ones of those suddenly lost but also to those who may actually survive a serious incident or injury. It is also insulting to the guests. Why do ‘some within the cruise industry refuse to wake up and smell the coffee, that the guests do not give a damn about the missed port? They do not give a damn about ‘CODE OSCAR’ being screamed over the airwaves and they do not give a damn if the ship turns around and stays at sea for two days searching. They will only care that everything possible is being done to save a life.
One comment from a senior officer said this to an Italian newspaper ‘allegedly’– “We are very concerned because we are still ignorant about what happened to Angelo said Jorge Cadena, Vice-Captain of the 'Coral Princess’. Someone saw him one last time Wednesday night, but the alarm was given Thursday morning. We obviously cannot stop the cruise, and even if we are really worried, we think of our passengers”
PLEASE TELL ME YOU WERE INNOCENTLY MISQUOTED THROUGH A SIMPLE LANGUAGE TRANSLATION CAPTAIN?
Cannot obviously stop the cruise – and even if we are really worried, we think of our passengers? This was a fellow human being; this was a fellow member of the company; a friend and the passengers come first? Truly I am lost for words, I am absolutely stunned – I am appalled.
A Princess Cruises ‘spokeswoman’ did state that there had been a complete search of the ship and they had also notified the Colombian Coast Guard however a review of CCTV images did not reveal any information? Well can the family and their lawyers review all the tapes as well then – do they get a copy? There is nothing on them so there will be no problem to any requests made of you then? In addition, I sincerely hope that all CCTV tapes were immediately seized and forensically bagged and tagged* by the Coral Princess’ own security personal. I also hope they were permitted to perform their role – to thoroughly investigate.
I am also sure the Faliva family or their official representatives will also be permitted to speak with Angelo’s cabin mate on board the Coral Princess, examine all the witnesses interviews/statements that were surely taken from those who last saw Angelo and to speak with the ships doctor to ascertain if Angelo was prescribed any medications? Surely they will also be permitted to clarify with Angelo’s immediate line managers and friends regarding his mood; was he happy, was there anything that caused them concern in the days leading up to his disappearance?
It would also be a good time to be provided with a copy of the Coral Princess black box and a copy of the bridge log book showing her exact position (longitude and latitude) for the times that Angelo was last seen, no matter there are some contradictions. The Coast Guard will look at all the locations and also plot tidal flow and continue to search for Angelo because ‘apparently’ he left the ship with a life preserver?
This would also be an opportune time to establish what he wearing when last seen on board the Coral Princess and of course speak with the ships own security team regarding their ‘incident file’ and review their statements and continuity notes. The family can also take this opportunity to see any ‘obvious’ forensic evidence they may have obtained; pictures and the recovered (bagged and tagged) night time illumination flares that were torn off the missing life preserver and left on board, as clearly stated by Angelo’s family.
The Faliva family said it was alerted Thursday that Angelo had been reported missing and that a life preserver was also missing, with its night time illumination flares torn off and left on board the ship.
Of course those security officers, if ex law enforcement will know that this very item, an illumination flare that has clearly come from the missing life preserver is now the primary forensic evidence for this entire case! And why is this of such importance, because that and that alone will yield one important clue – Angelo’s fingerprints when ‘he ripped it from the life preserver’ before jumping into the water.
But you see, people do not tend to commit themselves to drowning by ‘suicide’ when wearing a life preserver – do they! This is something I wish to come onto later because quite frankly I do not think Angelo has attempted to ‘commit suicide’, most certainly not in this particular case ‘should’ this become the ultimate and somewhat mind-numbing conclusion from yet another cruise company?
Of course the ship, which is registered in Hamilton, Bermuda may also have been required to complete a CRP/1 to send off to the company and which would then ultimately find its way to Bahamas Flag State. Surely they are entitled to a copy of that, it is just a simple form…
I wish I could also say the family were provided with a copy of the CRP/1 that they were provided with everything I have listed and to be honest, I am keeping that list quite short. However this is the most recent press release I have seen –
"Family members of an Italian chef who disappeared during a 15-day cruise left town Monday night with few answers after meeting with authorities and Princess Cruises officials in San Pedro, the port for the ship the man had been working on. Faliva’s sister, Chiara Faliva, flew from Italy to Los Angeles to meet with authorities and now is enroute to Cartagena in search of more information about her brother’s disappearance."
WHY? Why is Chira Faliva not in possession of all the paperwork that I have highlighted or been permitted to meet with whomever she so chooses on board the Coral Princess?
Mystery Surrounds Loss Of Italian Chef Angelo Faliva
Cruise Line continues to say they’re ‘Puzzled’
By Mike Groves QGM
Cruise Bruise Security And Safety Advisor
December 14, 2009
