Swedish Prosecutors Charge Master, Pilot

Swedish prosecutors have formally charged the master and pilot of the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde over a fatal collision on July 28. The charges of causing death through negligence follow an investigation that determined the overtaken pleasure boat was clearly visible on the ship's radar before the impact near Tjörn, which killed two of the four people aboard.

Both the ship's master and the Swedish Maritime Administration pilot deny any wrongdoing. They face charges of causing death through negligence, causing bodily injury through negligence, and negligence in maritime traffic.

VDR Evidence Reveals Bridge Failures

The charges come after analysis of the ship's Voyage Data Recorder (VDR). Senior Prosecutor James von Reis stated the VDR provided a definitive picture of events on the bridge. "We now know for certain what could be seen in real time on the radar screens on the bridge and what was said by those who were there," von Reis said. According to the prosecutors, the VDR showed the pleasure boat was a clear radar echo that was missed by both defendants.

The indictment states the bridge team failed to maintain a proper lookout as required by Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). This alleged failure resulted in the Misje Verde violating Rule 13, which requires an overtaking vessel to keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

Pilot's Unusual Prosecution

Prosecutors named the pilot as a criminal suspect on August 6, an action they described as unusual. "It is unusual for a pilot to be prosecuted for having played a part in a maritime accident involving the vessel being piloted," von Reis noted.

The investigation found the pilot had taken a very active role in navigating the vessel. Prosecutors allege he accepted that the master was occupied with other bridge duties unrelated to navigation, such as maintaining a lookout. "It is therefore reasonable that the pilot’s responsibility for the accident should also be examined by a court," von Reis added.

The Misje Verde was operating under compulsory pilotage in Hakefjord, southwest of Gothenburg, at the time. The collision occurred as the cargo ship and a 7-8 meter cabin motorboat traveled in the same direction. The Misje Verde approached from astern, struck the boat, and pulled it beneath the ship. The pleasure boat then flooded and sank in approximately 20 meters of water between the islands of Katten and Lövön.

An adult and a child escaped and were rescued by nearby boaters. Another adult and child were killed.

Prosecutors said the investigation was completed unusually quickly, aided by early access to AIS, GPS tracks, and the VDR. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 10.