Swedish prosecutors are seeking the remand detention of the captain of the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde following a fatal collision with a recreational boat in Tjörn that left two people dead, according to a press release issued Saturday by the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
The captain, whose name has not been publicly released, is suspected of causing another’s death through negligence. While the preliminary suspicion of negligent navigation in maritime traffic remains part of the case file, prosecutor James von Reis stated that this specific suspicion is not currently being used as the legal grounds for the detention request, according to the press release.
Flight Risk and Witness Interference Cited for Detention
“The captain lacks affiliation with Sweden, any other Nordic country, or an EU country, and therefore there is a flight risk,” von Reis stated in the press release. He added that because the investigation remains at an early stage, authorities are also concerned about potential tampering with key witnesses.
The captain has been held in police custody since Thursday evening. A formal detention hearing must be scheduled by Sunday or, at the latest, Monday, according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
Fatal Collision Claims Lives of Mother and Daughter
The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 28, when the Norwegian cargo vessel Misje Verde collided with a leisure boat in the waters off Tjörn. Four family members—a couple in their 40s and their two children—were on board the recreational craft at the time of the impact.
Following the crash, the father and son were quickly pulled from the water and sustained serious injuries, though they are currently reported to be in stable condition. The father has since been formally interviewed regarding the sequence of events.
The mother and daughter were initially reported missing, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation. According to police and rescue reports, the mother was found dead in the water on Thursday, and search teams located the daughter later the same day.
Crew Statements and Shipping Company Reaction
Investigators have interviewed all seven crew members aboard the Misje Verde. According to the statements gathered by police, the crew maintained that they did not feel or notice any impact during the voyage.
Roald Misje, the managing director of Misje Rederi, confirmed to the Norwegian news agency NTB on Friday that the detained captain holds Russian citizenship. At the time of the collision, the captain was on the bridge steering the Norwegian cargo ship alongside a Swedish pilot, according to the shipping company.
“Nobody on board noticed anything at all. Nobody heard a thing,” Roald Misje told NTB, expressing deep surprise and despair over the tragedy. He described the captain as a steady and reliable mariner who has worked for the company for many years. “We are very astonished at what has happened. It is a terribly tragic case. Now we just want to get to the bottom of this so that it does not happen again.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific legal suspicions against the captain?
The Swedish Prosecution Authority suspects the captain of causing another’s death through negligence.
Why are Swedish prosecutors requesting remand detention?
According to prosecutor James von Reis, detention was requested because the captain lacks ties to Sweden, the Nordic region, or the EU, creating a flight risk, and because the early stage of the investigation presents a risk of witness tampering.
Who was involved in the maritime accident?
The accident involved the Norwegian cargo ship Misje Verde and a recreational boat carrying a family of four in Tjörn.
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