Let us take a moment, in the midst of all the criticism and blame-laying, to commend the work of the Italian Navy and other rescuers in the Norman Atlantic ferry operation. Coordinated from the Italian naval ship the San Giorgio, rescuers worked through the night in atrocious conditions. The Marina Militare should also be thanked for tweeting regular updates, both in Italian and in accurate English. All passengers and crew have now been evacuated from the ferry and the Italian press is reporting ten dead. The number lost at sea is uncertain and the passenger lists are still being checked against the names of those known to have been rescued and those who have, sadly, died.
My thoughts tonight are with all affected, as I am sure yours are.
