Police in Denmark have charged the British mate of the M/V Scot Carrier with negiligent manslaughter over its fatal collision with a barge in December.
The Scot Carrier, a 2018-built general cargo ship, collided with the 55-meter barge ‘Karin Hoj’ off the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm in fog early in the morning on December 13, 2021, causing the barge to capsize. Two crew members on board the barge were killed in the accident.
The 30-year-old Briton was one of two crew members detained by Swedish police following the incident on suspicion that they were intoxicated. Copenhagen City Court remanded him in custody in absentia in the days after the accident. He was extradited to Denmark on February 6, 2022 and has remained in custody ever since. A hearing in Copenhagen City Court has scheduled for June 16.
According to Dutch police, the man has been charged under “section 241 of the Criminal Code for negligent manslaughter in particularly aggravating circumstances, among other things by having sailed the ship in an intoxicated state.”
Shortly after the accident, Scot Carrier’s owner, Scotline Marine Holdings Limited, issued a statement providng some details regarding the events following the collision. According to the company, the barge’s EPIRB system was activated, prompting Swedish authorities to contact the Scot Carrier for further information. However, the vessel had sailed on and didn’t alter course to return for up to 25 minutes after the collision.
“The 2nd Officer, who was on the bridge at the time requested the Master to come to the bridge of the ‘Scot Carrier’ where he reported contact with the Swedish Coastguard,” the company said at the time.
“Once all crew members had been accounted for and an initial damage assessment completed, the Scot Carrier returned to the location of the incident and launched a rescue boat to participate in the search and rescue operation. It is understood that the time between the incident and the Scot Carrier altering course to the location of the incident was under 25 minutes.”
That statement added that the company has “a strict drug and alcohol policy in place and have a zero-tolerance for any breaches that occur.”
Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.