Officer on Duty Falls Asleep, Leading to Container Ship Collision in Norwegian Garden

The incident involving a container ship crashing into a residential garden in Norway highlights potential negligence at sea, with an officer charged for negligent navigation after confessing to dozing off while on duty.

In a surprising incident in Byneset, near Trondheim, Norway, the watch officer of a large container ship has admitted to falling asleep during his watch, leading the vessel to crash into a local garden. The ship, identified as the NCL Salten and registered under the Cypriot flag, was reported to have veered off course early Thursday morning, coming perilously close to a house.

The 135-meter-long vessel was carrying a crew of 16 and was navigating through the Trondheim Fjord when it suddenly ran aground. No injuries were reported, but the incident has prompted a police investigation into the officer's adherence to regulations regarding work and rest hours. The prosecutor from Trondelag Police District confirmed charges of negligent navigation against the unnamed Ukrainian watch officer in his thirties who acknowledged he fell asleep while on watch.

Johan Helberg, the homeowner who experienced this surreal occurrence, recounted his shock upon seeing the colossal ship just inches from his home: "I had to bend my neck to see the top of it. It was so unreal,” he stated in an interview. A neighbor's alarm raised awareness of the impending disaster as the sound of the ship drew attention.

This incident is particularly notable as the NCL Salten had previously run aground in early 2023 but managed to free itself at that time without significant consequence. Authorities have been making efforts to refloat the ship since it got stuck, but these endeavors have not yet been successful. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the safety protocols being observed on board ships navigating in close proximity to residential areas.