The Costa Corcordia.<br/> At least three people died when the luxury cruise ship ran aground and capsized off the coast of Italy.<br/> As rescuers search for some 40 people still missing, authorities have set their sights on the ship's captain.<br/> Francesco Schettino has been charged with manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning his vessel prematurely.<br/> On Sunday, he defended his actions, saying the ship's navigation system missed the rocky outcrop that felled the vessel.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) COSTA CONCORDIA CAPTAIN FRANCESCO SCHETTINO, SAYING:<br/> "I don't know if it was detected or not but on the nautical chart it was marked just as water at some 100-150 meters from the rocks and we were about 300 meters from the shore, more or less. We shouldn't have had this contact."<br/> The ship was less than 300 meters from shore when it hit the rocks, prompting criticisms from residents of a nearby town.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) LOCAL RESIDENT, AUGUSTO CERULLI, SAYING:<br/> "We are in the 21st century and with all the technology on the ships, certain things should not happen. I have worked at sea and there's something here that's not adding up. The captain's got into trouble."<br/> Schettino denied allegations he abandoned ship early - pointing to the fact that almost all of the Costa Concordia's 4200 passengers were saved.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) COSTA CONCORDIA CAPTAIN FRANCESCO SCHETTINO, SAYING:<br/> "In such a particular moment you need decision-making and to understand with lucidity what the best alternative is. In fact, I believe almost all the passengers have been rescued."<br/> The Costa Concordia, meanwhile, remains on its side and local officials are now worried it may leak fuel into the pristine waters of southern Italy.<br/> Andrew Raven, Reuters
