Swedish prosecutors charge Misje Verde crew after fatal Tjörn collision

Swedish prosecutors have charged the master and pilot of the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde following a fatal collision with a pleasure boat near Tjörn in Hakefjord. The incident, which occurred on July 28, resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to two others when the larger vessel struck and sank the smaller cabin boat.

The indictment alleges that the crew failed to maintain a proper lookout, violating international maritime regulations. Investigators noted that the pleasure boat was clearly visible on the cargo ship’s radar before the collision. Evidence from the Voyage Data Recorder indicates that while the pilot was actively navigating, the master was occupied with administrative tasks rather than maintaining a lookout.

Further reports indicate that a Norwegian pilot had previously warned in December 2025 that visibility from the Misje Verde’s bridge was obstructed by an excavator mounted on the deck. The pilot noted that the vessel’s design, including a transverse crane, already hindered sightlines, making it difficult to monitor surroundings from the center of the bridge.