Nestanak skipera kod Šolte otvorio važno pitanje: Stručnjaci upozoravaju na ključne propuste

Austrian skipper missing after falling overboard near Šolta has sparked concerns among maritime experts about critical safety oversights. The incident occurred on Sunday when the man attempted to free a rope tangled in the propeller of his catamaran. Search efforts have been ongoing since early Monday, involving vessels from the Croatian Coast Guard and Maritime Police, a military aircraft, and a drone equipped with thermal imaging cameras. Six passengers were aboard the vessel at the time of the accident and tried to assist the skipper before losing sight of him due to rough seas. The search area has expanded beyond the initial location, approximately six nautical miles south of Šolta, extending towards Vis and Drvenik. Military pilots conducted extensive aerial searches, but so far no trace of the missing man has been found. According to Domagoj Ištvanović, a lieutenant in the Croatian Air Force, the operation left a bitter feeling after failing to locate the individual despite thorough efforts. Following the incident, another skipper took control of the catamaran and safely returned the six passengers to Trogris Marina, where they disembarked. The police conducted an onboard investigation during the day. Tonči Dragičević, operations director at the charter company, confirmed that the passengers had been safely returned home. However, he noted that they were in a state of shock following the event. Maritime experts have emphasized the importance of immediate action in such situations. Damir Višnić, a maritime expert, explained that the first step should be deploying life-saving equipment available on board. This includes throwing a life harness and floating rope, which provide the person in the water something to hold onto while keeping the crew aware of the exact spot where the individual fell into the sea. Experienced skippers have also pointed out potential preventable factors leading to the incident. Janko Ivaniš from the Association of Croatian Skippers and Crews warned that the situation could have been avoided by assessing weather conditions before setting sail and ensuring all ropes and safety gear were properly secured. He stressed that a rope becoming entangled in the propeller was a scenario that should not occur under normal circumstances. Search operations continue for the missing Austrian skipper, with all passing vessels being alerted through coastal radio stations to increase awareness of possible clues. The focus remains on locating the individual and addressing the broader implications of the incident regarding maritime safety protocols.