A peaceful morning turned surreal when a cargo ship ran aground just meters from a home in Norway.
Homeowner Johan Helberg was asleep when the incident occurred. He only became aware of the massive vessel in his backyard after his neighbor, Jostein Jørgensen, alerted him. Jørgensen had witnessed the ship veering off course and heading directly toward Helberg’s property. Despite attempts to wake Helberg by ringing the doorbell, it was only a phone call that roused him. Upon seeing the ship, Helberg described the sight as “so unreal” and noted that if the vessel had veered just five meters further, it could have crashed into his bedroom .
Investigation and Response
The NCL Salten, registered in Cyprus and operated by Lithuanian company Baltnautic, was en route to Orkanger with a crew comprising Norwegians, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, and Russians. Initial investigations revealed that the Ukrainian second mate admitted to falling asleep while on duty, leading to the grounding. Authorities have charged him with negligent navigation. Fortunately, there were no injuries or oil spills reported.
Efforts to refloat the ship at high tide were unsuccessful. The Norwegian Coastal Administration is conducting geotechnical assessments to determine the next steps for salvage. Notably, this incident marks the third time the NCL Salten has run aground in Norway, with previous incidents in Hadsel (2023) and Ålesund (2024).
Community Reaction
The local community has expressed a mix of shock and relief. Helberg humorously referred to the ship as a “very bulky new neighbor,” acknowledging the bizarre nature of the event. Despite the close call, residents are grateful that the incident did not result in more severe consequences.
Maritime Safety Concerns
This incident has raised questions about maritime safety and the protocols in place to prevent such occurrences. The fact that a crew member falling asleep could lead to a vessel of this size running aground so close to residential areas is concerning. Authorities and the shipping company are expected to review and enhance safety measures to prevent future incidents.
