The first officer of the "Wings of Eclipse" catamaran ended up in a month-long prison sentence.

A 33-year-old deck officer has been placed under one month of investigative detention following a collision between a passenger catamaran and a sailboat off the coast of Croatia, which resulted in four fatalities. The incident occurred on June 14 around 11:30 AM when the catamaran "Krila Eclipse," operated by the company Krila Adriatic, collided with a sailboat near the island of Brač. According to reports from the County Court in Split, the officer was detained due to concerns about his potential influence on witnesses—specifically seven crew members who were aboard the catamaran during the accident. The court rejected the suggestion from the County Prosecutor's Office that the detention should also be based on fears of repeated criminal behavior, though both sides have three days to appeal the decision.

The officer’s defense attorney, Zvjezdana Barić, stated after the interrogation that the case is complex and depends on numerous factors. She argued against the reasons given for the detention, noting that her client had been involved in the accident on Sunday morning but was arrested the day after. If he intended to destroy evidence or influence witnesses, she claimed, he would have already done so. Additionally, she denied that the officer was not on the bridge during the collision and emphasized that he had no prior traffic or legal violations. He faces charges of negligence and does not feel guilty, as he is reportedly in a state of severe shock following the incident.

According to the County Prosecutor's Office in Split, the investigation into the 33-year-old officer began because there is a well-founded suspicion that he was operating the passenger catamaran without activating radar monitoring systems and alarms. The officer allegedly failed to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the vessel and navigation. This included not continuously observing the route and surrounding vessels, and not maintaining a safe speed considering the density of maritime traffic and the concentration of vessels on the route. As a result, he did not notice the sailboat approaching from the right side, leading to a collision where the front right part of the catamaran struck the rear right section of the sailboat, causing it to sink.

The collision led to multiple serious injuries, resulting in the deaths of four individuals aboard the sailboat. One person suffered serious injuries, while two others sustained less severe injuries. Following the interrogation of the accused, the County Prosecutor's Office submitted a proposal to the investigating judge at the County Court in Split requesting the detention of the officer.

The incident took place on the route between Split and Hvar, within the area of the Split Gates, a known busy waterway. The sailboat was being operated by a 65-year-old Czech citizen who was transporting seven passengers of Croatian nationality. The collision highlights the importance of proper navigation procedures and the use of safety equipment on commercial vessels. It also underscores the need for strict adherence to maritime regulations to prevent such tragic accidents.

The officer, who was the first mate of the catamaran, is now facing significant scrutiny and legal consequences. His defense team argues that the circumstances surrounding the incident are more nuanced than initially presented. They claim that their client was deeply affected by the tragedy and cooperated fully with investigators. Meanwhile, the prosecution continues to gather evidence and prepare its case against him. The situation remains fluid, with further developments likely as the legal process unfolds.