Boat burned and sank off the island of Svec, search for missing Austrian stopped

A small boat caught fire and sank near the island of Svetac, part of the Split archipelago, prompting authorities to issue safety warnings for maritime traffic in the area. The incident occurred in the Slatina Bay at the Zlatna Glava location, according to reports from the National Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Rijeka, which received the alert at 1:45 a.m. on August 30. The vessel, measuring 11.6 meters in length and flying the Croatian flag, was fully engulfed in flames. Its three-member crew, all Croatian citizens, safely abandoned the boat and suffered no injuries. The fire destroyed the superstructure of the boat down to the waterline before the vessel sank. According to preliminary assessments by officials from the Hvar branch of the Coast Guard, the blaze consumed approximately 300 liters of diesel fuel stored onboard, though no marine pollution was recorded. The owner and captain of the boat confirmed that the fuel tank had been completely burned, leaving no environmental impact. A notice has been issued to the owner to retrieve and dispose of the sunken wreckage, while investigations into the cause of the fire continue. The incident comes amid ongoing efforts related to a separate search operation for a missing Austrian citizen who vanished on July 26 near Šolta, another island in the Split archipelago. On August 30, the Ministry of Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure announced that the intensive multi-day search for the Austrian man, who was the skipper of a sailboat, had been suspended. The decision followed coordination with the Safety of Navigation Office, which approved the halt in active search operations early Thursday morning. Since the initial report on July 26, rescue teams had conducted continuous searches across a wide area in the western part of the Split archipelago. All available units from the Split Coast Guard, including stations in Hvar and Mlini, as well as vessels from the Maritime and Airport Police in Split and the Croatian Border Guard, participated in the effort. During the first two days, three rescue boats and three police vessels were deployed, supported by flights from Pilatus aircraft and helicopters operated by the Border Guard, along with unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Split Coast Guard. In the final two days, two rescue boats and one police vessel continued the search. Despite these extensive efforts, the missing individual was not found. Moving forward, the Split Coast Guard and its branches will conduct further actions within the framework of routine maritime safety monitoring. The ministry emphasized that the search would continue as part of regular oversight activities rather than through intensified operations. The sinking of the boat near Svetac adds to the complexity of maritime conditions in the region, where both natural hazards and human factors can contribute to incidents at sea. Authorities have already issued safety advisories through the Split Coastal Radio Station, urging increased caution for boaters navigating areas affected by recent accidents. These measures aim to prevent similar occurrences and ensure the safety of all maritime users in the vicinity. The incident underscores the need for vigilance among recreational sailors and commercial operators alike, particularly in areas known for unpredictable weather patterns and challenging navigational conditions. As investigations proceed into the causes behind both the fire and the disappearance, local authorities remain focused on maintaining safe passage for all vessels operating in the Adriatic waters off Croatia’s coast.