The duty commander of a Norwegian Navy frigate that sank in 2018 after colliding with an oil tanker was found guilty of negligence by a Norwegian court.
On November 8 2018, the frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad, with 137 people on board, and the tanker Sola TS, with 24 people on board collided in the Hjeltefjord. The frigate had suffered extensive damage along the starboard side and seven crew members sustained minor physical injuries. Sola TS received minor damages and none of the crewmembers were injured.
At the time, the defendant was the official in command of the Ingstad’s bridge. He had pleaded not guilty to a negligence allegation. According to international news, The officer admitted that he did not do everything correctly, but he felt it was unjust to hold him exclusively accountable.
The officer also stated that that errors had also occurred aboard the tanker and at the maritime traffic center, which was in charge of traffic in the region. According to his lawyer, “he takes it hard and is disappointed with the outcome.” He still believes that he should bear sole responsibility for the accident.”
What is more, the incident investigation revealed flaws in the Norwegian navy’s safety protocols, including as inadequate training and risk assessment systems. The defense ministry was later fined ten million crowns.
