What would you do if a 135-metre container ship turned up in your front garden?
In Byneset, just outside Trondheim, Norwegian homeowner Johan Helberg awoke to a surreal sight—a colossal container ship, the NCL Salten, had run aground and bezelled its way into his garden, stopping just metres from his bedroom window .
🌊 A “Very Bulky New Neighbour”
Around 5 am on 22 May, a neighbour’s persistent doorbell and commotion roused Helberg. Peering out, he stared up at the ship’s bow rising from his lawn—“five metres further and it would’ve been in my bedroom,” he said, calling the scene “so unreal” .
With 16 crew aboard—including Norwegians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, and Russians—there were luckily no injuries or oil spills reported .
🧭 Human Error or Technical Trouble?
Trøndelag police revealed the vessel maintained a straight course into the fjord instead of turning. They’ve identified one crew member as a suspect—likely the lone helmsman. Initial investigations suggest he may have fallen asleep .
🛠️ Recovery & Response
Efforts to refloat the NCL Salten are underway. Tugboats are poised to pull it free at high tide, while authorities continue investigating the root causes—whether due to human oversight or mechanical failure .
“It was so unreal. Five metres further south and it would have entered the bedroom.”
— Johan Helberg on waking up to the ship in his garden
Could this happen in your town? Meddle with maritime safety—or human error? Share your thoughts on whether stricter onboard fatigue controls could prevent future near‑collisions.
