The incident occurred when the NCL Salten, a 135-meter cargo vessel, veered off course and crashed into a resident's garden near Trondheim. Authorities are investigating compliance with maritime work regulations after the officer acknowledged his failure to stay alert while on duty.
Ship Officer Charged After Falling Asleep, Causing Crash into Norwegian Garden
Ship Officer Charged After Falling Asleep, Causing Crash into Norwegian Garden
A Ukrainian watch officer on a container ship that ran aground in Norway has been charged with negligent navigation after admitting to falling asleep at the helm, prompting an investigation into hours of service.
The watch officer of a large container ship involved in a crash into a garden in Norway has been charged with negligent navigation after admitting he fell asleep while on duty. The incident took place early Thursday morning, when the 135-meter (443 ft) cargo vessel, the NCL Salten, veered off course and ran aground in Byneset, close to Trondheim.
The officer, a Ukrainian national in his thirties, is currently under investigation by local authorities who are scrutinizing whether the ship’s compliance with working and rest hours regulations was upheld. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the crash, as the ship narrowly missed the nearby house.
Prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sørensen stated, “The individual charged was the officer on watch at the time of the incident. During questioning, he confirmed that he fell asleep while on duty alone, which led to the vessel running aground.” Reports indicate that the officer was steering the ship but failed to alter its course when entering the Trondheim Fjord.
The NCL Salten was en route to Orkanger with 16 crew members aboard when it encountered the mishap. The logistics company NCL, which operates the vessel, acknowledged the severity of the incident and expressed gratitude that there were no reported casualties. They stated, "This remains an ongoing rescue operation, and our highest priority is to ensure a safe and secure salvage operation," as they continue to cooperate with the police investigation.
Johan Helberg, the property owner whose garden was struck by the ship, recounted his astonishment upon witnessing the ship in front of his home, describing it as “a very bulky new neighbour” and reminiscing about his shock when alerted by a startled neighbor. The neighbor’s son described the scene as “terrifying,” expressing relief that his family was unharmed.
Interestingly, this is not the first instance of the NCL Salten running aground; earlier this year, the vessel managed to free itself after a similar incident. The investigation will determine the full ramifications of this latest crash as authorities work to ensure maritime safety standards are maintained.
