Master And Pilot Of Cargo Ship Charged After Fatal Collision Off Sweden That Killed 2

Swedish prosecutors have charged the master and pilot of the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde over a collision that killed two people near Tjörn on July 28.

The cargo ship hit a small pleasure boat while overtaking it in Hakefjord, southwest of Gothenburg. A mother and her daughter were killed. The father and son on the boat survived.

Prosecutors said the pleasure boat was clearly visible on Misje Verde’s radar before the collision, but both the master and pilot failed to notice it.

Both face charges of causing death and bodily injury through negligence, as well as negligence in maritime traffic. They deny the charges.

The trial is due to start on September 10.

Cargo Ship Hit Boat From Behind

The 5,310 dwt Misje Verde was sailing along Sweden’s west coast towards Norway on the night of July 28. A pilot was required to be on board.

The ship was travelling in the same general direction as a 7-8 metre cabin motorboat. Misje Verde came up behind the smaller boat and hit it while overtaking.

The cargo ship did not stop after the collision. It stopped only after the Coast Guard told it to do so.

The smaller boat was pulled under the cargo ship, flooded and sank in about 20 metres of water between Katten and Lövön.

Four people were on the pleasure boat.

The father and son were thrown into the water and picked up by another pleasure boat. They were then taken to hospital.

The mother and daughter died. Their bodies were later recovered along with the wrecked boat.

Rescue Teams Search for Missing People

A large rescue operation began after the collision.

Volunteer rescuers from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society stations in Stenungsund, Skärhamn and Rörö took part with five rescue boats.

The Swedish Maritime Administration, Coast Guard, rescue service, ambulance and police also joined the operation.

Two people were initially missing. The search was stopped overnight and started again on Wednesday morning.

Radar Data Used in Investigation

Investigators examined AIS and GPS tracks from the vessels involved. They also gained early access to Misje Verde’s Voyage Data Recorder, or VDR.

Prosecutors said the pleasure boat was clearly visible as a radar echo on the bridge displays.

Senior Prosecutor James von Reis said investigators now know what could be seen on the radar in real time and what was said by the people on the bridge.

He said the investigation also showed how the responsibilities were divided between the master and pilot.

According to the indictment, both men failed to keep a proper lookout, as required under Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGs.

Prosecutors also said the cargo ship failed to keep clear of the pleasure boat while overtaking it. This is required under Rule 13.

Swedish Pilot Also Charged

Prosecutors named the Swedish pilot as a criminal suspect. They found that he took a very active role in navigating the cargo ship, while the master was dealing with other matters on the bridge that were not related to navigation.

The pilot was the only other person on the bridge with the master at the time.

The master is a Russian citizen. He was detained soon after the accident because of concerns that he could leave Sweden or interfere with the case.

Investigators initially looked at several possible violations of the COLREGs.

References: dataportuaria, Swedish Sea Rescue Society