Working Conditions Aboard the Vulcanello-M

On February 11, 2021, significant legal actions unfolded as the shipowner Raffaele Bruno, the captain Gioacchino Costaiola, and the third officer Giuseppe Caratozzolo of the vessel 'Vulcanello M' were apprehended by the Coast Guard. This followed an extensive investigation led by the Palermo prosecutor's office into the mysterious disappearance of the fishing vessel 'Nuova Iside' near San Vito Lo Capo on May 12, 2020. The Palermo court's Judge for Preliminary Investigations, alongside the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Coast Guard, executed several judicial measures on that day. Captain Costaiola, hailing from Procida, was swiftly transported from the island to the mainland and subsequently detained at Poggioreale prison. Meanwhile, officer Caratozzolo was moved to Locri prison, while shipowner Bruno was placed under house arrest, which was enforced by the Special Intervention Unit of the General Command of the Corps of Port Authorities from Rome. All individuals involved faced serious charges including manslaughter and negligent shipwreck, with the shipowner additionally facing allegations of procedural fraud and aiding and abetting. Following the tragic disappearance of the fishing vessel and its three crew members, the Coast Guard of Palermo mounted extensive air and naval search operations, successfully recovering the bodies of two crew members and later identifying the wrecked fishing boat with help from specialized Navy units. Subsequent investigations led to the seizure of the black box from the 'Vulcanello M' and a thorough inspection of its hull by the Carabinieri of the Ris di Messina. This inquiry raised suspicions regarding the vessel’s involvement in the incident, especially after it was discovered that its hull had been repainted post-collision, leading investigators to conduct multiple searches at the Vulcanello shipping company's offices. For more detailed coverage, you can refer to the full report [here](https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2021/02/11/peschereccio-nuova-iside-arrestati-armatore-e-comandante-della-motonave-vulcanello/6097882/).

A pivotal hearing regarding the Nuova Iside incident, initially set for October 30 at the Court of Palermo, is anticipated to be postponed. The hearing was intended to review the technical report requested by the Palermo Public Prosecutor to find evidence of the fishing boat potentially obscured by the maintenance work conducted by the tanker crew. The delay is likely due to the ongoing comparison of 28 samples collected from the vessel by prosecutor-appointed consultant Giorgio Barbagelata, which have yet to be matched with those analyzed by the Messina RIS. This investigation is spearheaded by Deputy Prosecutor Ennio Petrigni and Prosecutor Vincenzo Amico, focusing on the tragic collision that led to the sinking of a fishing boat on May 12, 2019, resulting in the deaths of Matteo, Giuseppe, and Vito Lo Iacono, the latter of whom remains unaccounted for. Recent findings from the prosecutor's experts indicate that microphones from the tanker’s voyage data recorder captured four distinct sounds that imply a collision occurred between the two vessels near San Vito Lo Capo. As the investigation continues, four individuals have been identified as suspects, facing charges of manslaughter, vessel submersion, and negligence in aiding survivors. The accused include the tanker’s master, the owner of the company 'Augustadue,' and two officers onboard.