Image: Search for Austrian skipper missing near Šolta/MMPI
Update: Search operation officially suspended
The expanded search operation ended on 30 July after rescue boats, police vessels, an aircraft, a helicopter and a drone failed to locate the missing skipper. Regular maritime safety patrols and monitoring will continue. Read the full update in Search for the Missing Austrian Skipper near Šolta Suspended After 5 Days.
The search area for a 46-year-old Austrian skipper missing near Šolta has been expanded towards the island and Drvenik Mali after more than 24 hours of searching failed to locate him.
Austrian skipper disappeared on Sunday morning while sailing south of Šolta with six other Austrian nationals aboard a twin-hulled sailing vessel. Search-and-rescue operations resumed on Monday, July 27, after being temporarily suspended the previous evening because of deteriorating weather and reduced visibility.
According to Croatia’s Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, the search is continuing with the same intensity, while improved weather conditions have allowed crews to use both aircraft and a drone equipped with thermal-imaging technology.
Search for Austrian skipper missing near Šolta resumed early on Monday
The first stage of the operation involved two rescue boats from the Milna branch of the Harbour Master’s Office, one vessel from the Hvar branch and three boats operated by the Split Maritime and Airport Police.
A Croatian Customs vessel equipped with a thermal-imaging surveillance system also joined the search.
A Pilatus aircraft operated by the Croatian Coast Guard searched the wider area on Sunday morning. It was withdrawn from the operation at 1:53 pm, after which aerial observation continued using a Ministry of Defence helicopter until 8:00 pm.
The operation was temporarily suspended shortly after 8:00 pm because of worsening weather and reduced visibility. It resumed on Monday at 6:00 am.
Two Harbour Master’s Office rescue boats joined the surface search from 6:30 am, accompanied by a police vessel. A specialised drone equipped with a thermal-imaging system was launched from one of the rescue boats.
The Coast Guard’s Pilatus aircraft rejoined the aerial search at 9:00 am.
Splitradio continues to broadcast a PAN-PAN urgency message to vessels sailing in the search area.
Search expanded towards Šolta and Drvenik Mali
Ivan Paušić, head of the Navigation Safety Service at the Split Harbour Master’s Office and leader of the search operation, told HRT that weather conditions were more favourable on Monday morning.
“The wind and sea have calmed, so we were able to launch the drone. The operation is still underway, and we expect the Pilatus aircraft to join us shortly. We will continue searching from both the sea and the air. As long as there is hope of finding the person, we will continue the search,” Paušić said.
He confirmed that the search area had been expanded westwards because of the time that had passed. The ministry said the new perimeter extends towards Šolta and Drvenik Mali.
Six passengers safely returned to Trogir
The remaining six Austrian passengers were safely taken to a marina in Trogir, where officers from the Maritime Police took over further official procedures.
“According to the information available to us, they were all older than the skipper. They were safely brought to the marina in Trogir and, as far as we know, they are in fairly good condition,” Paušić told HRT.
The Austrian skipper missing near Šolta had held a licence for 13 years. Paušić said the 2021 twin-hulled sailing vessel had all the required documentation and met the necessary technical conditions.
Asked about the chances of finding the skipper after more than 24 hours, Paušić acknowledged that the prospects diminish with time but said the operation would continue while there remained any possibility that he was alive.
“History has taught us that there have been cases in which people survived for several days, even in colder seas. That is why we will not give up the search,” he told HRT.
The skipper fell into the sea on Sunday while reportedly checking a rope that had become wrapped around the vessel’s propeller. Strong winds and large waves were affecting the area at the time. The six passengers attempted to throw him a rope, but he was unable to reach it and disappeared from view within minutes.
