The watch officer of a cargo ship that recently ran aground in Norway, causing significant alarm for local residents, has been charged with negligent navigation after he admitted to falling asleep on duty. The 135-meter-long NCL Salten, a Cypriot-flagged vessel, narrowly missed a nearby house while veering off course in the Trondheim Fjord. The Ukrainian officer, a man in his thirties, now faces legal repercussions as police investigate whether proper regulations concerning working hours were followed on board.
The incident happened early Thursday morning, and authorities quickly responded to the situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the vessel remains stranded despite ongoing efforts to refloat it. In a statement, the local prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sørensen confirmed the officer's admission during police questioning, adding weight to the investigation into safety protocols aboard the commercial ship.
Local videographer Johan Helberg expressed astonishment after witnessing the massive ship anchored just feet from his front garden. He described the surreal moment of seeing the ship and how it felt like a hefty new neighbor in a space that traditionally belonged to his home. Another local resident, Bard Jorgensen, recalled his panic as he and his father witnessed the impending disaster, raising their alarms when they thought the ship might collide directly with the house.
NCL, the logistics company that chartered the vessel, acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and pledged support for the ongoing salvage operation. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of their crew and property as they assist authorities in their investigation. Reports indicate this is not the first time the NCL Salten has experienced navigational difficulties, having previously run aground earlier this year but managed to free itself on that occasion. As the investigation unfolds, community members remain vigilant while recovery efforts continue at the sight of this close call.
The incident happened early Thursday morning, and authorities quickly responded to the situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the vessel remains stranded despite ongoing efforts to refloat it. In a statement, the local prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sørensen confirmed the officer's admission during police questioning, adding weight to the investigation into safety protocols aboard the commercial ship.
Local videographer Johan Helberg expressed astonishment after witnessing the massive ship anchored just feet from his front garden. He described the surreal moment of seeing the ship and how it felt like a hefty new neighbor in a space that traditionally belonged to his home. Another local resident, Bard Jorgensen, recalled his panic as he and his father witnessed the impending disaster, raising their alarms when they thought the ship might collide directly with the house.
NCL, the logistics company that chartered the vessel, acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and pledged support for the ongoing salvage operation. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of their crew and property as they assist authorities in their investigation. Reports indicate this is not the first time the NCL Salten has experienced navigational difficulties, having previously run aground earlier this year but managed to free itself on that occasion. As the investigation unfolds, community members remain vigilant while recovery efforts continue at the sight of this close call.
