On July 28, two pleasure boats that had been on vacation together in Bohuslän were heading home south on the Hakefjord between Tjörn and the mainland.
At the same time, the Norwegian-registered cargo ship Misje Verde was en route from Uddevalla to Kragerø in Norway, on approximately the same course.
According to the Swedish Accident Investigation Board's first report, Misje Verde maintained a speed of approximately 12 knots, while the two pleasure boats were travelling at a lower speed.
At the height of the island of Katten, Misje Verde caught up with one of the pleasure boats, which immediately sank when it was hit. A few minutes later, the cargo ship also passed the other pleasure boat at close range.
The pilot was also charged.
The family on board the sunken pleasure boat - a couple and their two younger children - ended up in the water. The father and son were rescued, but the mother and daughter were found dead on July 29 and 30, respectively.
On July 30, the Russian commander was arrested on board the Misje Verde and a few days later he was remanded in custody. On August 4, it emerged that the Swedish pilot who had been on board was also suspected of the crime.
On August 28, prosecutor James von Reis indicted both men on suspicion of causing death, causing bodily harm and negligence in maritime traffic.
Blaming each other
The prosecution's evidence in the case includes radar images taken from the cargo ship's "black box". According to the prosecutor, the two pleasure boats were clearly visible there. During the trial, on 10 and 11 September, much focus was also placed on which of the two defendants was responsible for keeping a lookout during the journey.
Both men deny any wrongdoing and have blamed each other for the accident during interrogations.
The prosecutor requested in his closing argument that both men be sentenced to prison terms of a few months. After the trial, the captain was released pending sentencing. The pilot has not been detained.
On Wednesday, the Gothenburg District Court announced that both were sentenced to suspended sentences for all charges.
