Rose Metcalf was deeply moved when she encountered three violinists performing the iconic melody from the movie Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On,” while she was on the Costa Concordia cruise liner on January 13, 2012. At that moment, she expressed her unease about the music being a bad omen to her companion, a Peruvian man she was dating. Tragically, one of the violinists later perished when the cruise ship, carrying 4,200 passengers, collided with rocks near Italy’s Giglio Island, resulting in the loss of 31 lives.
Featured in Netflix’s top show, “Shipwrecked: Nightmare At Sea,” Rose, originally from Bournemouth, played a heroic role in assisting 400 individuals to safety during the disaster. Recalling the harrowing experience, she described the chaos and panic that ensued as the ship started to capsize, emphasizing the lack of effective safety training provided by the Costa Concordia.
Despite the traumatic events, Rose demonstrated remarkable courage and leadership by organizing a human chain to guide passengers and crew to safety down the severely tilted corridors of the sinking ship. Ultimately, she helped 400 people escape before finding herself trapped along with four others as the ship’s tilt became too severe.
Rose’s resilience and determination to survive led her to use a broken torch to signal for help, eventually leading to her rescue by a helicopter crew. However, the tragedy claimed the lives of 32 individuals, including a five-year-old child. Reflecting on her experience, Rose highlighted the importance of maritime safety improvements to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Although the aftermath of the Costa Concordia disaster left Rose with lasting trauma and challenges, she found solace in helping others and empowering women through her work as a business coach. Despite the hardships she faced, Rose remains committed to turning her traumatic past into a source of inspiration and hope for others.