Oh, I thought you meant the taxpayers (ok, they won't be held liable, but are still the most likely to pay for it in the end)

Unlikely given https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicarious_liability#Employers'...

The captain can be fired, sure. Pay anything? Extremely unlikely. The liability for accidents stops at the company, unless there was a clear intent from the captain to cause the disaster but now we're in criminal court.

There was a pilot onboard, right?

If I remember correctly they made the ship steer of course quite sharply. If the pilot dropped anchor and made the ship do that they might be in error.

Legally speaking, the pilot is only present in an advisory capacity. The master is ultimately responsible for safe navigation.

As for the anchor, you seem to misunderstand the basics of ship handling.

https://youtu.be/qZbUXewlQDk?si=GBPMFyHPZGAF1v5z

Dropping anchor could very well be a thing you do.

To me it seems like the boat steers of course after regaining power. Am I imagining things? I guess it could happen by chance too, as drift takes on?

You're imagining things. Did you watch the video?

Holding the captain liable would be like trying to get a blood transfusion for an elephant from a mosquito.

They could be one of many parties considered liable. Lawyers will justify spending $20k in legal work on themselves for an extra $100ks in recoveries, even if that’s a part of $billions.

Quite possible the captain has their own liability insurance. Dunno how the professionalization works at sea.

The people harmed with less money for lawyers probably won’t get anything, I can see that happening.

Automakers might get a payout for the shipping delays, but people waiting longer for their new car won’t see any of it.

The people’s commutes that will be X minutes longer for the next while will have to just suck it up.

Same for anyone paying a few percent more for goods that have to be imported through other ports.