Eight minutes. That’s how long the now indicted watch commander had been in charge of KNM Helge Ingstad before the frigate collided with the tanker Sola TS in the Hjeltefjorden on the night of 8 November 2018. Nevertheless, he is the only one to stand trial when the Hordaland District Court over the next eight weeks will go through every detail of what happened before the collision. That causes many in the navy to react. news has been in contact with several of the crew who were on board the frigate on the night of the accident. They believe it is not right that the warden now risks up to five years in prison. news has spoken to several people who were on the frigate, who think the same. Another points out that no one is better than the training they receive. The warden is the only one to stand trial when the Hordaland District Court over the next eight weeks will review every detail of what happened before the collision. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Trade union reacts After the accident, the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board determined that the Norwegian Armed Forces had failed on several points. Among other things, those who were responsible for steering the boat had insufficient training. The Ministry of Defense received a corporate penalty of ten million kroner. – As a chief executive officer, it seems unfortunate that it is only one individual far down in the organization who is prosecuted. That’s according to Per Ivar Haugen of the Joint Commanders’ Organization for the Navy. He understands that the crew reacts the way they do. – The consequence may be that it will be difficult to get personnel to take on this type of task in the future. Haugen says he has not decided whether it is legal to prosecute the warden. But he believes this goes against the thinking of many in the Navy. – In the past, it was a tradition that only the captain could be held responsible after a shipwreck. So this is unusual and is perceived as unreasonable by many. Haugen believes the entire Navy will follow the court case with great excitement. Per Ivar Haugen of the Joint Chiefs’ Organization for the Norwegian Navy believes that the consequence of only one individual far down in the organization being prosecuted may be that it will be difficult to get personnel to take on this type of task in the future. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news Defending prosecution State Attorney Magne Kvamme Sylta admits that it was difficult to decide who should be prosecuted in the case. But he thinks they have made the right decision. – When the collision took place, a number of young people were on the verge of losing their lives. It says something about the seriousness that may not have come across clearly enough earlier. – But representatives of the crew do not think that it is right that the watch commander alone stands as a defendant? – I cannot comment on what trade unions or individuals think. We have drawn up charges based on the investigative material we have. Sylta and co-investigator Benedikte Høgseth point out that there is no doubt that the watch commander is responsible for what happens on the bridge, regardless of how long he has been on duty. State prosecutor Magne Kvamme Sylta admits that it was difficult to decide who should be prosecuted in the case. But he thinks they have made the right decision. Here together with co-author Benedikte Høgseth. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news Enormous strain The accused warden perceives the indictment as unfair and an enormous strain. He states this through his defender, Christian Lundin. – He is hung out as a scapegoat for a system that has failed. The warden does not admit criminal liability. – Wasn’t he responsible for the collision? – He admits that he has a responsibility, but not to the extent that he can be punished for it. Lundin says that he believes the trial will put the client’s role in a new light. – Even if he hates the process, he is looking forward to getting his version of what happened. Already on Wednesday next week, the watch commander will explain how he experienced the eight minutes before the Norwegian Navy lost one of its flagships. The trial against the accused warden starts in Hordaland District Court on Monday 16 January.
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– Hanged as a scapegoat – news Vestland
