In a tragic accident in Porto Nogaro, Italy, Walter Bonazzа, age 55, lost his life. The former Staff Captain of Costa Cruises and Silversea has died in a boat accident on October 18, 2017. Walter Bonazzа left the cruise line to be close to his family and started a new job near home, as a vessel pilot in the port of Monfalcone. Bonazza came from a noble family from which he had inherited the title of Knight of Malta.

According to initial reports, a 61-meter merchant ship flying the flag of Palau carrying goods to Turkey had just left Porto Margreth for the open sea. As a protocol, the pilot indicating the route to go out of the river Corno accompanied the vessel.

The ship was followed by the pilot boat, with the second pilot on board the merchant vessel. For unknown reasons the pilot lost control and the boat was overturned.  Confirmation comes from his colleague who was on board the merchant ship once he noticed that the pilot came at sustained speed and his colleague did not answer the calls.

From the merchant ship, an alarm was issued to the Harbor Master's Office and  Italian Coast Guard responded to the scene. The pilot boat was above the floating line, causing the rescuers to be optimistic about finding the pilot alive. Unfortunately, inside the cabin, they found the lifeless body of the plot.

His friend Paolo Rovis has shared the sad news saying “The Sea was his life, the sea took him. Now navigate to safe waters and look at endless horizons.