The Trøndelag Police District in Norway has arrested the second officer of the NCL Salten, a feeder ship that grounded early Thursday morning, nearly colliding with a residential home along the picturesque fjord. According to police reports, the individual, a Ukrainian citizen in his 30s, was alone on the bridge at the time and confessed during questioning that he had fallen asleep while navigating the vessel.
This serious breach has led to the officer being charged with “negligent navigation” under Norwegian law, which mandates that vessels must be operated without posing any danger to life, health, the environment, or material property. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities of maritime crew members, particularly those on watch.
Data from AIS tracking signals indicate that the ship entered Trondheim fjord without issue, purportedly traveling at a speed of 16 knots. However, shortly after 5 AM, the vessel failed to make a critical turn to starboard, continuing straight ahead and grounding at an inappropriate location.
Investigative efforts are ongoing, with authorities scrutinizing whether proper work and rest requirements were maintained for the crew on board. In standard protocol for maritime accidents, the captain of the ship has also been designated as a suspect in the ongoing inquiry.
Kjetil Bruland Sørensen, the prosecutor handling the case, noted, "On Friday, parts of the crew were interviewed. The investigation is focused on establishing the sequence of events to understand how this incident occurred and whether the bridge was adequately manned according to regulatory standards.”
Authorities have taken control of the vessel's documents and logs for thorough examination. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Coastal Administration is closely monitoring the investigation and overseeing salvage operations, given the potential implications for navigation safety and environmental protection.
Attempts to refloat the 443-foot containership were unsuccessful yesterday. Additionally, reports have surfaced indicating a landslide along the coastline that may be associated with the grounding incident, prompting evacuations of nearby residences to ensure public safety.
Surveys conducted by the Norwegian Coastal Administration reveal damage to the vessel’s forecastle and some of its ballast tanks. Fortunately, the extent of the damage does not appear severe enough to complicate salvage efforts. Moreover, the compromised tanks contain seawater, thus mitigating immediate pollution threats. However, a pollution control vessel remains on standby near the grounding site as a precautionary measure.
The responsibility for organizing the salvage operation lies with the shipping company, but the Norwegian Coastal Administration reserves the right to demand additional safety measures to avert any potential environmental hazards. As of now, planning for a refloat operation is underway, though no definitive timeline has been provided for when the vessel may be successfully freed from its stranded position.
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