Video: container ship runs aground next to a house in Norway, duty officer questioned

Vessel tracking website MarineTraffic took to social media platform X with an animation and detail of the rescue operations that were initiated once the vessel reported the incident. 

"In the first moments after the vessel halted ... several SAR [search and rescue] units arrived on scene, including Rescue Trondheim, SAR Rita Irene, Rescue Une Amundsen, and the tugs BB Lifter and Buddy. The vessel remains at the site with refloating efforts ongoing," the post said.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration said the refloating process would not happen immediately but confirmed that planning is underway and the vessel continues to be monitored.

"It’s going to take time before we can refloat the vessel. There’s ongoing planning going on with an operator that’s been hired by the shipowner.

While we in NCA standby and monitor the situation, and we also have a coast guard vessel nearby. There is no oil spillage from the vessel, it is lying quite steady. So everything is safe and sound for now," the NCA spokesperson said.

NCA said Wesmans were involved with the planning, but a representative declined to comment on the case to Riviera. The shipowner, Lithuania-headquartered multinational Baltnautic said the insurance company is managing all decisions. 

Salvage company Busker og Berging, whose vessel BB Lifter responded to the grounded vessel’s initial distress call, told Riviera it did not think a salvor had been appointed as of 1200 on 23 May 2025.. 

As to the cause of the vessel’s grounding Norway’s police, the Politiet, told Riviera that the officer of the watch is being questioned. 

“We suspect human failure related to the duty officer, [who] fell asleep while alone at the bridge," Trøndelag Police District Police Attorney, FP-Special Prosecution Kjetil Bruland Sørensen told Riviera. “We don’t have anyone in custody. We have a suspect, and he is in interrogations now but not in custody.”

NCL has posted several updates on the vessel, with CEO Bente Hetland calling the grounding "a serious incident". 

"We are grateful that nobody was injured in the grounding. The ship’s crew and all bystanders are safe. This is now an ongoing rescue operation, and we are co-operating closely with the authorities and others involved. At present time, we do not know what caused the incident and are awaiting the conclusion of the ongoing investigation by the relevant authorities,” he said.

"We are working closely with the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the police, and other authorities, and we are following their assessments carefully. This effort must proceed step by step and within safe parameters for the crew, rescue personnel, and the local community. It is essential the parties involved share a common understanding of the risks and procedures before the upcoming salvage operation attempt. 

We are aware of the police stating that they have one suspect, and we continue to assist the police and authorities in their ongoing investigation."

🇧🇻From the world of curiosities 🌐

A Norwegian overslept the arrival of a 135-m cargo ship that parked at his house

The cargo ship NCL SALTEN lost course at night, missed a shoal west of Trondheim and ran its bow onto the coast. For a long time, neighbors could not find… pic.twitter.com/CF8x4eYcnJ

— Peacemaker (@peacemaket71)

🇧🇻From the world of curiosities 🌐

A Norwegian overslept the arrival of a 135-meter cargo ship that parked at his house

The cargo ship NCL SALTEN lost course at night, missed a shoal west of Trondheim and ran its bow onto the coast. For a long time, neighbors could not find… pic.twitter.com/CF8x4eYcnJ

— Peacemaker (@peacemaket71) May 22, 2025