Turkish Bulker Officer Faces Negligence Charges After Grounding Off Swedish Coast

🌊⚓️ A watch officer aboard the Turkish-flagged bulk carrier Ali Aykin is facing serious legal consequences after the vessel ran aground near Sweden last month. Authorities have charged him with gross negligence, accusing him of poor watchkeeping and reliance on a mobile phone during the critical moments leading up to the incident.

 

The grounding occurred in the early hours of May 25 as Ali Aykin was sailing north through the Øresund Strait, en route from Gdansk, Poland, to Setubal, Portugal. Around 12:15 a.m., the vessel reportedly strayed from the designated shipping lane, veering northwest. By 1:00 a.m., it had come to rest on a known shoal just south of the Øresund Bridge.

 

According to Swedish prosecutors, the officer on duty that night was navigating without a functioning depth sounder and without the assistance of a lookout. They also allege that he was distracted by his cell phone during the transit. These lapses, investigators claim, contributed directly to the grounding. The officer has denied all accusations.

 

The Ali Aykin , an older bulk carrier, was carrying approximately 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel at the time of the incident. Swedish authorities were quick to act, concerned about the risk of pollution and the obstruction of a busy waterway. Refloating efforts were complicated by flooding in one of the vessel’s ballast tanks, but on the night of June 4-5, tugboats successfully freed the ship and towed it to a safe harbor for inspection.

 

🔎🌐 The investigation remains ongoing as maritime officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the grounding and assess the extent of procedural violations.

 

Source: Maritime Executive

Picture: Swedish Coast Guard