Concordia Widower Dives to Reef to Leave Plaque

The husband of an Italian woman who died when the Costa Concordia cruise liner rammed a reef and capsized has left a memorial plaque on the sea bed near the reef. Accompanied by Italian Coast Guard divers, Elio Vincenzi plunged into the pristine waters off Giglio island in scuba diving gear today to place the plaque 82 feet deep. A cross and photos of Maria Grazia Trecarichi, whose body has never been found, decorate the plaque.

Vincenzi told Sky TG24 TV that during the dive he experienced overwhelming emotion, which he'll remember for as long as he lives. The Concordia rammed the reef and quickly capsized on Jan. 13 near Giglio, off the Tuscan coast. Since then, the site has spawned what NBC News calls "shipwreck tourism." Click here for that. (More Costa Concordia stories.)