Faroese maritime authority accepts prosecution decision not to charge in Galaxy case

The Faroese Maritime Authority (Sjóvinnustýrið) will not challenge the public prosecutor’s decision to drop charges against the captain of the fishing vessel Galaxy, the authority’s director confirmed on Monday.

Prosecutors had investigated allegations that the ship sailed with an open hatch cover in rough seas, a potential violation of maritime safety regulations first reported by Sjóvinnustýrið in October. However, chief prosecutor Katrin Thorsvig-Hansen told Faroese broadcaster KVF that evidence was insufficient to prove the hatch was open at departure.

“We take note of the prosecutor’s conclusion,” said Hans Johannes á Brúgv, director of Sjóvinnustýrið. “There are no plans to appeal the decision or file new charges.”

The case was referred to police last autumn after the maritime authority requested an investigation into possible breaches of its regulations.