Ship Happens: Cargo Vessel Nearly Docks in Man's Bedroom

 

The quiet dawn in Byneset, Norway, was shattered not by an alarm clock, but by the imposing presence of the 135-meter-long cargo ship, NCL Salten, as it veered dramatically off course and ran aground along the Trondheim Fjord. For Johan Helberg, whose home stood perilously close to the vessel's unexpected trajectory, the incident was a shocking wake-up call, literally. "Five meters further south, and it would have entered the bedroom," Helberg recounted to BBC News, underscoring the astonishing proximity of the massive ship to his residence. He told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he had slept through the entire event, only to be roused by a neighbor ringing his doorbell in alarm.

The majestic Trondheim Fjord, stretching 130 kilometers and ranking as Norway's third-largest, became the unintended stage for this maritime mishap. The ship's unexpected detour was witnessed by nearby resident Jostein Jørgensen, who was "half-awake" when he heard a vessel approaching. Intrigued, he looked out his bathroom window and was met with the incredible sight of the NCL Salten heading directly for the shore. Despite Jørgensen's frantic attempts to wave and whistle, his efforts to divert the colossal ship were futile.
Investigation and Prior Incidents

At the time of the grounding, 16 individuals were on board the NCL Salten. Fortunately, no injuries or spills were reported, a significant relief given the scale of the incident. North Sea Container Line (NCL), the shipping company, swiftly announced its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

Norwegian police have since charged one person with negligent navigation, alleging that a crew member fell asleep while on watch. Prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sørensen confirmed this, stating that the officer on watch admitted to falling asleep while on duty alone, directly leading to the vessel running aground.

Adding another layer of concern to the incident, Bente Hetland, NCL's CEO, revealed to TV2 that the NCL Salten has previously run aground on more than one occasion. This history raises questions about the vessel's operational record and the company's safety protocols. NCL's website states that it provides shipping services across Norway and "a big part of Europe," making the repeated grounding incidents of one of its vessels a significant point of concern for maritime safety. The investigation continues, with authorities aiming to understand the full circumstances that led to this startling close call on the Trondheim Fjord.