Schettino previously said managers of the Costa cruise line instructed him to sail close to the island and has denied allegations that he was sailing too fast.

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Schettino has said that managers of the cruise line instructed him to sail close to the island and has denied allegations that he was sailing too fast.

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Schettino has previously said managers of the Costa cruise line instructed him to sail close to the island and has denied allegations that he was sailing too fast.

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The fast service, which operates one sailing a day, will be suspended from 13 September.

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"I was sailing between 18 and 22 knots, so the speed was pretty fast, but nothing unusual for such a big boat, " Gavignet recalled.

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The old-fashioned sailing vessels remain an integral part of trade in the emirate enabling the fast and efficient transport of dates and other foodstuffs, says Khaldoun Asmar, CEO of Barari Group.

CNN: Dubai ports feed global appetite for dates