Pilot and Captain Convicted Following Tragic Cargo Ship Incident in Swedish Waters
The Swedish Maritime Administration has temporarily halted pilot operations at Marstrand due to staff well-being concerns following a recent judgment. Approximately ten vessels were impacted by this suspension, but operations resumed on the afternoon of Thursday, October 1.
The incident in question occurred on July 28, when the cargo ship Misje Verde, traveling at around 12 knots from Uddevalla to Kragerø, collided with two recreational boats near Katten island shortly before 21:30 local time. The cargo ship overtook one recreational boat and later passed dangerously close to the other, both of which were moving at a significantly slower pace.
According to a status report by the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, both recreational boats were visible on the cargo ship’s radar prior to the collision. However, no crew members on the ship or on the recreational boats were aware of each other’s presence in time to execute any evasive maneuvers.
The ongoing safety investigation will focus on several critical areas, including bridge work allocation, visibility conditions during dusk and rain, vessel design, adherence to applicable regulations, and the effectiveness of the rescue response following the incident.
