Inquest into the Suspected Death of Sigurd MOEN
Deceased
Sigurd MOEN
Demographics
19y, male
Date of death
1967-09-24
Finding date
2019-11-15
Cause of death
Drowning, likely by being drawn under the vessel after falling overboard
AI-generated summary
Sigurd Moen, a 19-year-old Norwegian seaman, disappeared from the MV Sognefjell in September 1967 while intoxicated. After drinking spirits with crewmates, he went on deck around 4:30 am expressing a desire to feel salt water on his face. A crewmate restrained him from climbing the guardrail but released him after he appeared to settle. Moen then walked alone on deck and was never seen again. Extensive ship, air, and coastal searches found no trace. The coroner concluded beyond reasonable doubt that Moen fell overboard and drowned almost immediately, likely sucked under the vessel. While the exact manner remains undetermined (possibly accidental, unlikely suicide), the case illustrates risks of intoxication in maritime environments and highlights the importance of close supervision of impaired individuals in hazardous settings.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Severe intoxication from spirits
- Impaired judgment and coordination
- Unsupervised access to open deck areas
- Maritime hazards
- Lack of subsequent supervision after initial restraint
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