Why are ship captains the first to save themselves in an emergency?

Most aren't, these last 2 examples(South Korea, and Italy) are an exception to the rule.

Most Captains take their job seriously, and also won't just jump-ship after messing up(most don't mess up to begin with).

One of the rules of being a captain is that they're suppose to be the last one to abandon/leave the ship. Some are selfish and panic, therefore fending for themselves and leaving before others.

Lets face it,thats an old rule of the sea carried out by Anglo Saxon countries mainly. Britain,of course then America and the Commonwealth,followed by any country lucky enough to have had British influence. I regret everyone else is just panic and first man for them selves.

Its not a legal requirement even in the best countries.

Selfishness , I personaly would save the children , when they were all accounted for if I could leave I would , after a certain amount of time the line between honour and suicide would become blurred.

Should be asking "why is that shipping company so badly run" if that's the type of captain they hire.

He obviously panicked and no doubt regrets it but he knew the should of stayed as it is an unwritten rule

Hubris.

Because they are human. Selfish, self centered, and twisted humans

it usually doesn't happen that way