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In a rare and shocking maritime incident, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, NCL Salten, ran aground early Thursday morning just seven meters away from a cabin in Byneset, near Trondheim, Norway. The 135-meter vessel, owned by North Sea Container Line (NCL), was en route to the town of Orkanger when it veered off course and crashed into the rocky shoreline—narrowly missing a house where the occupants were still asleep.
Johan Helberg, the homeowner, was alerted to the situation when his neighbor rang the doorbell. Looking outside, he was stunned to see the bow of a massive ship parked in his garden. “We slept just seven meters from where the bow is and didn’t hear a thing,” he said. “It was so unreal. I had to bend my neck to see the top of it.”
Fortunately, there were no injuries among the 16 crew members onboard, who were of Norwegian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and Russian nationalities. No oil spill or significant environmental damage has been reported, apart from a broken outdoor heating pipe. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, with local police identifying one crew member as a suspect. Theories currently under review include human error and technical failure.
“This should not have happened,” said NCL CEO Bente Hetland. “We’re relieved that no one was hurt and are focusing on the welfare of both our crew and the nearby residents.”
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is leading the salvage operation, supported by tugboats in the area. An initial attempt to free the ship was unsuccessful, and another effort was planned during high tide.
Not the First Time: 5 Other Unbelievable Grounding Incidents
While the NCL Salten case is unusual, it’s not the first time a vessel has ended up in astonishing proximity to homes or critical infrastructure. Here are five recent and unforgettable incidents:
Ever Given – Suez Canal (2021)
One of the most infamous cases, the 400-meter container ship blocked the Suez Canal for six days, disrupting global trade.
Why it’s memorable: Over 400 ships were delayed, causing billions in losses and highlighting vulnerabilities in global supply chains.Cargo Ship Near Cape Town, South Africa (2023)
A tanker nearly drifted ashore due to high winds, coming alarmingly close to residential beaches.
Outcome: Avoided collision thanks to emergency tugs, but caused temporary evacuation.Cruise Ship in Sydney (2020)
A cruise vessel lost anchorage and drifted dangerously close to a five-star hotel during a storm.
Impact: No impact, but guests were evacuated as a precaution.Sumatra Village Grounding, Indonesia (2018)
A medium-sized cargo ship, disoriented in heavy fog, entered a riverside village, damaging electric poles and fences.
Unique aspect: Locals initially thought it was a film shoot.Houseboat Drift in Brazil’s Amazon Basin (2019)
A large houseboat drifted into a riverside settlement during high flood season.
Result: Property damage but no casualties; emphasized the risks of unregulated river transport.
Conclusion:
The NCL Salten incident serves as a reminder of how even advanced navigation systems cannot completely eliminate risks. While no harm was done this time, the unnerving proximity to homes could have led to tragedy. It joins the short list of exceptional events where maritime routes and domestic life intersect in dramatic fashion.
Call to Action:
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