Italian cruise captain refused orders to reboard ship

The captain of the cruise ship that ran aground and sank off the Italian coast refused to reboard the doomed vessel after he abandoned it, audio recordings revealed.

The Costa Concordia hit rocks and capsized on late Friday, leaving at least 11 dead. Capt. Francesco Schettino allegedly abandoned the ship shortly after while passengers were still seeking safety.

The Coast Guard ordered Schettino back onto the ship to count the number of women and children still on the bow of the vessel. But Schettino pleaded with the Coast Guard not to reboard the ship, giving them a number of excuses.

The captain was arrested as Italian divers continued to comb the half-submerged hull for missing passengers and crew.

Schettino has been charged with manslaughter, abandoning ship and causing a shipwreck.

Watch video, courtesy of the Associated Press, below: