On the evening of January 13, 2012, Rose Metcalf was captivated by the music of three violinists playing the iconic Titanic theme, “My Heart Will Go On,” while she was aboard the Costa Concordia cruise liner. As she crossed the ballroom, she felt a sense of foreboding and warned her companion about the ominous choice of music. Tragically, later that night, one of the violinists lost their life when the ship, carrying over 4,000 passengers, struck rocks near Italy’s Giglio Island and started to sink.
Rose, a former ship’s dancer from Bournemouth, now featured on Netflix’s top show, “Shipwrecked: Nightmare At Sea,” where her heroic actions in assisting 400 individuals to safety were highlighted. Recounting the harrowing moment of impact, she described the chaos and fear that engulfed the ship as it started to tilt and take on water.
Despite the lack of adequate safety training on the Costa Concordia, Rose took charge during the crisis, organizing a human chain to guide passengers and crew to safety through the dangerously tilted corridors. She vividly recalls the urgency and panic that permeated the ship as people struggled to reach the lifeboats.
The disaster, caused by the captain’s deviation from the approved route for a near-shore salute, left Rose and a few others stranded as the ship listed perilously. Through sheer determination and resourcefulness, Rose managed to contact authorities for help, eventually leading to their rescue by a passing boat.
Following the traumatic event, Rose endured years of emotional turmoil, struggling with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Despite the lack of financial support from the Costa Concordia owners for her losses and therapy expenses, Rose eventually found healing and purpose through specialized therapy in America.
Driven by a desire to prevent future maritime tragedies, Rose has dedicated herself to improving safety standards in the industry. She remains critical of the lack of accountability and systemic changes following the disaster, advocating for broader responsibility among all parties involved.
As a successful business coach today, Rose empowers others by sharing her story and expertise in nervous system regulation therapy, aiming to transform the tragedy of the Costa Concordia into a message of hope and resilience.
*Costa’s spokesperson expressed condolences for the victims of the tragedy, stating that the matters have been thoroughly addressed and examined in relevant forums.
