Death on Board the Amerigo Vespucci: Convictions for 3 Chiefs of Staff of the Navy

The Court of Appeal of Rome confirmed, on June 18, 2025, the first-degree sentence that saw the conviction of four senior officers of the Navy for the death of the sailor Alessandro Nasta. The tragic incident, which occurred on May 24, 2012, took place on board the training ship "Amerigo Vespucci" during a sail maneuver off the coast of Civitavecchia.

The Convictions

The defendants, all high-ranking Navy officers, were convicted of complicity in manslaughter. The Court confirmed the sentences imposed in the first degree, ranging from a minimum of one year and two months to a maximum of one year and ten months. The sentences concern:

• Domenico La Faia (62 years old), commander of the Vespucci at the time of the incident, sentenced to one year and ten months.
• Bruno Branciforte (77 years old), former Chief of Staff of the Navy, sentenced to one year and ten months.
• Giuseppe De Giorgi (72 years old), former head of the naval squadron, sentenced to one year and two months.
• Luigi Binelli Mantelli (74 years old), former Chief of Staff, sentenced to one year and two months.

The sentences were granted with the benefit of suspension.

Circumstances of the Incident on the Amerigo Vespucci

The tragedy occurred while the "Amerigo Vespucci", one of the most symbolic training ships of the Navy, was sailing off the coast of Civitavecchia. Nasta, 29 years old, a sailor from Brindisi, was performing a sail maneuver when he fell from a height of about 54 meters, hitting his head violently on the deck. Despite rescue attempts, with helicopter transport to the hospital in Civitavecchia, the young man died a few hours later due to severe fractures sustained.

Charges and Motivations

The court confirmed that, at the time of the incident, the required workplace safety standards were not met, particularly regarding the protection of the "sea acrobats", those crew members engaged in risky maneuvers. It was contested that restraint systems were not adopted to ensure the safety of the sailor and other crew members during operations at sea.

Reactions

Lawyer Alessandra Guarini, who assists Nasta's family, commented on the decision with a note of satisfaction: "Today is a victory for justice. We have provided answers to the parents and family of the late Nasta", she stated. Furthermore, she emphasized that this case has strengthened the principle that workplace safety must apply in every field, including the armed forces. The introduction of new safety measures on board Navy ships was one of the direct consequences of the tragic incident, with the aim of preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The death of Alessandro Nasta deeply shook public opinion and raised important reflections on compliance with safety regulations, even in military contexts where, too often, workplace accidents are treated with less severity. The confirmation of the convictions on appeal represents an important signal for strengthening safety measures in all work environments, including military ones.