Cargo Ship Crashes Into Norwegian Man’s Yard After Officer Falls Asleep – In an extraordinary incident early Thursday morning, a large cargo ship, NCL Salten, crashed into a Norwegian man’s backyard after veering off course in a fjord near Trondheim. Authorities say the ship’s officer on watch admitted to falling asleep, leading to the vessel running aground just a few meters from a residential home.
The 440-foot-long container ship was en route to the town of Orkanger when it lost control around 5 a.m., crashing into the shoreline in Byneset, a coastal neighborhood in central Norway. Johan Helberg, a retired museum director, awoke to the shocking sight of the ship looming over his house, alerted only by a neighbor who pounded on his door.
“I looked out the window, and there was this massive ship right outside,” Helberg said. The vessel came within five or six yards of his bedroom, missing his home by mere meters. Had the ship’s trajectory been slightly different, Helberg noted, it could have resulted in catastrophic damage or injury.
Helberg remained composed despite the surreal situation, noting that his neighbor, who had seen the ship come ashore, was in shock. He added that while ships often pass through the fjord, they typically remain at a safe distance. “We don’t usually see ships right outside our living room window,” he remarked.
Norwegian coastal authorities confirmed that no injuries or oil spills were reported. However, the incident prompted widespread concern due to its potential for serious harm to both people and the environment. Kjetil Bruland Sørensen, a police prosecutor involved in the investigation, stated that the officer responsible for navigating the ship admitted to falling asleep. “It does happen, but it’s not something that should happen,” he said, emphasizing the severe risks involved.
The police are continuing their investigation, examining whether the officer was alone on the bridge and whether safety regulations were properly followed. No suspicion currently falls on the ship’s captain or the shipping company, according to Sørensen.
Anette Bonnevie Wollebæk of the Norwegian Coastal Administration described the incident as highly unusual. “I don’t think we ever experienced a container ship running ashore in a garden before,” she said.
The vessel is operated by NCL and owned by the company Baltnautic. In a statement, NCL’s chief executive Bente Hetland called the situation serious and expressed relief that no one was hurt. The crew consisted of 16 men, including a Norwegian captain and a mix of Russian and Ukrainian sailors.
Efforts to refloat the ship using a tugboat at high tide on Thursday evening were unsuccessful. NCL and a salvage company continue to work with authorities to remove the ship and assess any damage.
Meanwhile, Helberg is grappling with the media attention and the bizarre reality of a cargo ship in his backyard. Friends and family have flooded him with messages, some expressing relief, others poking fun at the unprecedented view. “Nothing beats the view from Byneset on a beautiful spring morning, does it?” one joked online.
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