A Ukrainian watch officer is facing charges of negligent navigation after the container ship he was responsible for veered off course and ran aground in Byneset, Norway. The incident occurred early Thursday morning, when the 135-meter long vessel narrowly missed a house, crashing instead into a neighboring garden. Investigators are looking into whether the officer followed proper work-hour regulations while on duty.
Ship's Watch Officer Falls Asleep, Leading to Grounding Incident in Norway
Ship's Watch Officer Falls Asleep, Leading to Grounding Incident in Norway
Watch officer of the container ship NCL Salten admitted to police he fell asleep at the helm when the vessel crashed into a local garden.
The watch officer, in his thirties, was the sole individual on duty when he confessed to authorities that he fell asleep, resulting in the impending disaster. The ship, operating under a Cypriot flag, was transporting 16 crew members while making its way through the Trondheim Fjord toward Orkanger. Despite efforts to refloat the vessel, salvage operations have, as of yet, proven unsuccessful.
Local resident Johan Helberg, whose front garden was the landing spot for the ship, expressed his disbelief, noting that the massive vessel came alarmingly close to his home. "It was so unreal," he remarked, describing the experience of seeing the colossal ship from his window. Eyewitness accounts tell of a neighbor's panic as they woke to the sound of the ship approaching the shore.
The logistics company NCL, which chartered the NCL Salten, has labeled the situation as a serious incident and is actively cooperating with police investigations regarding the events leading up to the grounding. According to reports, the same ship had previously encountered navigational issues earlier in the year, but managed to extricate itself without incident.
With a focus on ensuring safety during the ongoing salvage operation, the NCL representatives emphasized their prioritization of no harm to personnel during this unexpected event.
Local resident Johan Helberg, whose front garden was the landing spot for the ship, expressed his disbelief, noting that the massive vessel came alarmingly close to his home. "It was so unreal," he remarked, describing the experience of seeing the colossal ship from his window. Eyewitness accounts tell of a neighbor's panic as they woke to the sound of the ship approaching the shore.
The logistics company NCL, which chartered the NCL Salten, has labeled the situation as a serious incident and is actively cooperating with police investigations regarding the events leading up to the grounding. According to reports, the same ship had previously encountered navigational issues earlier in the year, but managed to extricate itself without incident.
With a focus on ensuring safety during the ongoing salvage operation, the NCL representatives emphasized their prioritization of no harm to personnel during this unexpected event.
