Slovenian man gliding just 50 meters from shore: 'We were a bit carried away'

A coastal patrol operation conducted by the Croatian maritime authorities along the entire Adriatic coastline identified several violations related to safe navigation and close proximity to the shore during its coordinated inspection campaign. The operation focused on enforcing regulations regarding boat safety, particularly concerning swimming and speed limits near the coast. Among the incidents recorded was the case of a Slovenian citizen who had been swimming just 50 meters away from the shoreline, which led to a fine. The inspection campaign took place across all eight harbor administrations, involving 115 staff members and 35 vessels that collectively traveled 1,441 nautical miles. During this period, 382 inspections were carried out, resulting in the identification of 182 rule violations. Based on these findings, fines totaling €79,208.49 were issued, with €44,884.24 collected directly at the site of the offense. One of the individuals fined was a Slovenian national who admitted to swimming too close to the shore, explaining that he did not intend to appear reckless, as they were near cliffs rather than beaches. Captain Tomislav Zrinski, speaking on behalf of the harbor administration, emphasized that the enforcement of rules is crucial for the safety of all participants in maritime activities. He noted that swimmers should maintain a distance of up to 100 meters from the shore, while motorboats must stay at least 300 meters away. Additionally, divers must be marked with red-white flags, and all vessels must keep a minimum distance of 50 meters from them. Zrinski also recalled a tragic incident from a few years ago, where a 23-year-old professional diver died despite following proper procedures, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with water activities. During the inspection, a three-member family from Zagreb, vacationing in Crikvenica, was stopped for operating a well-equipped boat. The couple, consisting of a lawyer and her husband, stated that they adhered strictly to the rules, ensuring first aid was up-to-date and replacing any questionable practices with new ones. Harbor officials commented that such thorough preparation was rare and commendable. The harbor administration highlighted that during the current season, there have been fewer major rescue operations compared to previous years. Most incidents involved swimmers being pushed away by storms, though the number of rescues has remained consistent with past trends. From the start of the year through July 9th, over 350 people have been rescued, with six fatalities reported. In comparison, last year saw 496 rescues and 17 deaths within the same timeframe. According to data from Lika Club, the harbor authorities have conducted more than 7,300 inspections since the beginning of the year, issuing fines exceeding €519,500. These figures underscore the continued efforts to enforce maritime safety standards and ensure compliance with established protocols.