http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31430998

I imagine he'll be appealing that one.

If you look up coward in the dictionary there'll be a picture of him next to it.

I have no doubt he will indeed appeal the decision.
He claims the blame has been unfairly heaped on him and that it should be distributed around but as far as the article goes it appears that's already happened as a number of other crew have already been convicted and given prison senstences. None as heavy as his but, at the end of the day, he's the ships captain and bears ultimate responsibility for the ship and the actions of its crew. If the crew made errors the buck still ultimately stops with the captain.

Plus the crew didn't chicken [LIFTED] out of there in the first possible life boat when they were legally obliged to be the last person off.

He isn't legally obliged though is he? It is expected and his ultimate authority over the safety of the passengers and crew lends itself to the assumption that he should remain till last (otherwise how else can he discharge his duty?), but I don't think it is actually specifically stated in law that it is required of him.

It may seem a small matter, but it probably impacted on what he could be charged with and/or found guilty of.

He is. In Italian law he is required to be the last person off. A captain isn't allowed to abandon his passengers.