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Draft
Schettino also claimed he would have returned to the ship by helicopter, if it were possible. Carlo Galli, a Giglio police officer found Schettino, and offered to get him a dinghy to get him back to the ship, but Schettino declined. Galli also said that Schettino was dry, despite supposedly falling from the ship.

De Falco also proclaimed to Schettino, "You’ve abandoned ship! I’m in charge now,”

Schettino's lawyers claimed that he was being made a scapegoat, and that the helmsman and the Italian coast guard should take some of the blame.

"defend his honour".

Five of Schettino's co-workers plead guilty prior to Schettino's conviction.

In 2015, Schettino published a book, Le verità sommerse, which portrayed Schettino as a hero. The book was controversially dedicated to the victims of the catastrophe. Many in the media criticized the book, especially how Schettino was attempting to profit off of the disaster, and to paint himself in a better light.

Schettino was initially believed to have been under the influence at the time of the event, but tested negative for drugs or alcohol the night of the disaster.

Reportedly, Schettino was distracted by Moldovan dancer Domnica Cemortan, who was on the bridge at the time. Cemortan later admitted to being present on the bridge, and having an affair with Schettino. However, Schettino himself claimed that he sailed so close to the rocks to perform a sail-by salute, and was navigating by sight since he knew the route so well. Costa Cruises later said that Schettino failed to follow the approved route for drive-by salutes.