The watch officer of the Cypriot-flagged NCL Salten ship admitted to police that he was asleep during the incident, which caused the vessel to run aground just meters from a house in Byneset. Authorities are examining whether work hour regulations were violated.
Container Ship Grounded in Norwegian Garden Due to Watch Officer's Negligence
Container Ship Grounded in Norwegian Garden Due to Watch Officer's Negligence
A cargo ship crashed into a resident's garden in Norway after its watch officer fell asleep on duty, leading to an ongoing investigation.
The watch officer of a large container ship that ran aground in a residential area of Norway has been charged with negligent navigation after admitting to police that he fell asleep while on duty. The incident occurred on Thursday morning in Byneset, near Trondheim, when the 135-meter vessel, the NCL Salten, crashed into a resident's front garden, missing the nearby house by mere meters.
The officer, a Ukrainian national in his thirties, reportedly confessed that his drowsiness contributed to the ship veering off course during its journey through the Trondheim Fjord, causing it to run aground. Of the 16 crew members aboard, no injuries were reported, but the incident sparked concerns regarding potential breaches of maritime rest regulations.
Trøndelag Police District's prosecutor, Kjetil Bruland Sørensen, highlighted the severity of the situation as they initiated investigations into the watch officer's adherence to work and rest hours onboard. The logistics company NCL, which chartered the vessel, described the occurrence as a "serious incident" and expressed gratitude that no one was harmed, emphasizing the importance of a safe salvage operation.
Local resident Johan Helberg, who witnessed the ship in his garden, recounted his astonishment upon seeing the large vessel so close to his home, just five meters away from his bedroom. Helberg was alerted to the situation by a neighbor who noticed the ship's approach and reported the alarming events.
The experience was described as surreal by neighbor Bard Jorgensen, who recalled the terrifying moment when they realized the ship was heading directly toward the house. Fortunately, both Helberg and his neighbors were unharmed. Interestingly, the NCL Salten had a prior grounding incident earlier this year, from which it was able to free itself. As authorities continue their investigations, efforts to refloat the vessel have so far been unsuccessful.
