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Norway fines ship company $725,000 in fatal accident

OSLO, Norway (AP) — A national prosecutor has ordered the Norwegian company, Bourbon Offshore Norway AS, to pay a five million kroner ($725,000) fine for a 2007 accident that killed eight people, including the 14-year-old son of the captain.

The six-month old ship, Bourbon Dolphin, capsized off the coast of northern Scotland while hoisting an offshore oil rig's 330 ton (370 US ton) anchor and chain on April 12, 2007.

Public Prosecutor Bjoern Soknes says he ordered the fine because the company failed to give the ship's new captain enough time to learn about the vessel, its crew and the complex operation. The captain only had 90 minutes to take over.

He died in the accident with his son, who was visiting.

The company can appeal the order, which was made on Monday, but has refused immediate comment.