Austrian yacht skipper missing after falling overboard near island of Šolta

(Photo: Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure)

ŠOLTA, Croatia, 26 July 2026 – An intensive search and rescue operation is underway off the Croatian island of Šolta after an Austrian skipper fell overboard from a sailing yacht and disappeared in severe weather conditions.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure said the report was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Rijeka (MRCC Rijeka) at 9.10am on Sunday, 26 July, through the County 112 Emergency Centre.

At the time of the incident, extremely unfavourable weather conditions were affecting the area where the skipper disappeared. All available search and rescue units were mobilised.

The operation involves two rescue boats from the Milna branch of the Port Authority, one rescue boat from the Hvar branch, and three vessels from the Split Maritime and Airport Police.

An aircraft operated in cooperation with the Croatian Coast Guard has also joined the operation. A Pilatus aircraft began aerial searches at 11.42am, surveying the area identified for the search.

The missing man is an Austrian national and was the skipper of a catamaran sailing yacht owned by a Croatian charter company. The remaining six crew members, all Austrian citizens, were located safely and found to be uninjured.

Their approximate position was established through direct communication with MRCC Rijeka, after which the crew was located.

In cooperation with the charter company, a replacement skipper was brought aboard the yacht. He has taken over responsibility for the vessel and, in coordination with MRCC Rijeka, is sailing it to the next destination, where the crew will disembark.

The search for the missing skipper is continuing, although there had been no result at the time of the Ministry’s latest update.

A PAN-PAN urgency message is also being broadcast via the Splitradio coastal radio station to alert vessels operating in the search area.