The incident, which occurred near Trondheim, narrowly avoided a tragic outcome as the ship missed the nearby house by only five meters.
Ship Captain Asleep During Crash That Sent Vessel Into Norwegian Garden
Ship Captain Asleep During Crash That Sent Vessel Into Norwegian Garden
A container ship's watch officer fell asleep on duty, leading to the vessel running aground and crashing into a local garden in Norway, investigators report.
On Thursday morning, the crew of the NCL Salten, a sizable Cypriot-flagged cargo ship, faced a sudden disaster when the watch officer, a Ukrainian in his thirties, confessed to authorities that he was asleep while on watch. The ship veered off course, resulting in a grounding incident that placed it firmly in the front garden of a Byneset resident, Johan Helberg.
Authorities from the Trondelag Police District are investigating the situation and have charged the officer with negligent navigation. They are also looking into whether the crew complied with mandated working and rest hour regulations. Thankfully, no injuries were reported; however, the incident has raised concerns regarding safety protocols aboard vessels.
Johan Helberg recounted the bizarre moment he discovered the ship in his garden, saying, "I had to bend my neck to see the top of it. It was so unreal." He was alerted by a startled neighbor who witnessed the ship's perilous approach to the shoreline. "Five meters further south and it would have entered the bedroom," he told Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, highlighting the close call.
In a twist of irony, this was not the first time the NCL Salten had faced trouble; the ship had reportedly run aground earlier in 2023 but was freed by its own power. As investigators continue to delve into the causes behind Thursday's distressing incident, the community remains in shock over the unexpected intrusion of the massive cargo vessel into their tranquil neighborhood.
Authorities from the Trondelag Police District are investigating the situation and have charged the officer with negligent navigation. They are also looking into whether the crew complied with mandated working and rest hour regulations. Thankfully, no injuries were reported; however, the incident has raised concerns regarding safety protocols aboard vessels.
Johan Helberg recounted the bizarre moment he discovered the ship in his garden, saying, "I had to bend my neck to see the top of it. It was so unreal." He was alerted by a startled neighbor who witnessed the ship's perilous approach to the shoreline. "Five meters further south and it would have entered the bedroom," he told Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, highlighting the close call.
In a twist of irony, this was not the first time the NCL Salten had faced trouble; the ship had reportedly run aground earlier in 2023 but was freed by its own power. As investigators continue to delve into the causes behind Thursday's distressing incident, the community remains in shock over the unexpected intrusion of the massive cargo vessel into their tranquil neighborhood.
