British sailor charged with manslaughter following deadly collision in Baltic Sea

A British national who had worked as a crewmember on a commercial vessel has been charged with manslaughter and other offences in Denmark in connection with a collision incident that left two people dead in the Baltic Sea late last year.

The unnamed 30-year-old suspect was on duty aboard the UK-registered dry cargo vessel Scot Carrier when it collided with the Danish-flagged hopper barge Karin Høj just off Denmark’s Bonholm Island at 03:30 local time on December 13, 2021. The collision caused the smaller hopper barge to immediately capsize.

Danish officials said two of the barge’s crewmembers were initially reported missing but were later found dead. One of them was found within the barge’s hull as salvors were inspecting the interior.

The other charges filed against the suspect include negligence and consumption of alcohol beyond the legal limit allowed aboard ships.

The Copenhagen City Court is scheduled to begin hearing the case on Thursday, June 16.