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Strong overnight storms that swept across the northern Adriatic triggered a series of maritime emergency operations, including a maritime accident in the northern Adriatic involving three shipwrecked sailors rescued off Cape Kamenjak.
According to the Ministry of the Sea, Croatia’s National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Rijeka) coordinated the rescue operation, while dozens of vessels ran aground near the islands of Unije, Susak and Lošinj after strong wind gusts swept across the northern Adriatic.
Maritime Accident in the Northern Adriatic: Three Shipwrecked Sailors Rescued
Three Austrian sailors were rescued early on Sunday after their yacht ran into trouble off Cape Kamenjak, Croatia’s southernmost point of the Istrian Peninsula, while severe overnight storms caused dozens of vessels to run aground across the northern Adriatic Sea.
Croatia’s National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Rijeka) coordinated the rescue operation in cooperation with the Harbour Master’s Office in Pula after receiving a distress call at 4:44 a.m. local time on 19 July.
According to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, poor radio communication caused by adverse weather conditions initially made it difficult to determine the yacht’s exact position. Search teams from the Pula Harbour Master’s Office were immediately dispatched to the estimated search area.
The Maritime and Airport Police Station in Pula and the Croatian Coast Guard were also alerted, with a Coast Guard vessel placed on standby. At the same time, Rijeka Radio Coastal Station broadcast a navigation warning requesting all vessels sailing in the southern Istrian waters to maintain heightened vigilance and be prepared to assist if necessary.
At 6:48 a.m., rescuers located the three sailors approximately 12 nautical miles south of Cape Kamenjak. The crew, all Austrian nationals, had abandoned their damaged yacht and were found safe aboard a life raft near the vessel. They were transferred to a rescue boat operated by the Pula Harbour Master’s Office and transported safely to Pula. None of the three sustained injuries.
The damaged sailing yacht was left adrift at the scene while commercial towing services were arranged to bring it to a safe berth. Harbour Master’s Office officials will conduct an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the maritime accident. Until the hazard is removed, navigational safety warnings continue to be broadcast to vessels operating in the area.
Storm Triggers Dozens of Groundings
This maritime accident in the northern Adriatic was among several serious incidents reported overnight as a fast-moving weather front brought storms, strong winds and rough seas across the region.
MRCC Rijeka received dozens of emergency calls reporting grounded recreational boats in the waters around the islands of Unije, Susak and Lošinj. The incidents were caused by a sudden frontal system accompanied by strong wind gusts and rough seas.
Officials from the Mali Lošinj Harbour Master’s Office carried out inspections of the affected areas and confirmed that, despite the large number of groundings, there were no reported injuries, fatalities or marine pollution.
Commercial salvage operations have already been organised for most of the grounded vessels, while some owners and charter companies will arrange the refloating and recovery of their boats independently.
Marine Weather Warnings Remain in Force in the Croatian Adriatic
The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) has warned that unstable weather conditions are expected to continue.
Forecasters are predicting isolated thunderstorms, particularly on Monday, with strong bura winds affecting the northern and parts of the central Adriatic. Wind gusts are expected to reach between 35 and 40 knots, while gusts below the Velebit mountain range could reach up to 50 knots.
Sea conditions are expected to be slight to moderate, becoming locally moderate in the northern Adriatic. Rain, showers and thunderstorms are forecast to spread from the north, while there remains a slight possibility of fog in parts of the southern Adriatic.
Mariners, recreational sailors and charter operators are advised to monitor weather forecasts and navigational warnings carefully before setting out to sea, as conditions may change rapidly across the Adriatic.
Thunderstorms and strong bura winds are expected in the coming days, affecting road traffic as well. Read more: Heavy traffic across Croatia, Dubrovnik-Korčula catamaran suspended ahead of stormy Monday.
