Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has dropped a verbal lead balloon during a morning radio exchange regarding the Costa Concordia disaster, saying: "Well, that was one boat that did get stopped."

The comment about the sinking of the Italian cruise ship came during an interview yesterday morning on the Adelaide Triple M breakfast show with Ali Carle, Dale Lewis and Warren Tredrea.

Tony Abbott ... "Well that was one boat that did get stopped, wasn't it." Credit:Michelle Smith

At one point during the interview, one of the hosts asked Mr Abbott: "This is just a bit from left field, the captain from the Costa Concordia wants to know if you need any help with your boat policy?"

"Well that was one boat that did get stopped, wasn't it," Mr Abbott replied, to laughter.