Croatia to introduce stricter boat licence rules after fatal collision

Croatia is preparing significant changes to its boat licensing system following the fatal maritime accident near Šolta, in the area known as the Split Gates, which claimed the lives of four Czech tourists.

The collision between a passenger catamaran and a sailing yacht has prompted authorities to accelerate reforms aimed at improving safety on the Adriatic.

Speaking on HRT programme Studio 4, Siniša Orlić, Director of the Directorate for Navigation Safety, said amendments to the regulations governing boats and maritime qualifications have been in preparation for some time.

According to Orlić, the current examination system for recreational boat licences is outdated and no longer meets modern requirements. Croatia has also been working at European Union level to harmonise the issuing of recreational boating licences in a similar way to professional maritime qualifications.

He stressed that human error remains the leading cause of maritime accidents.

“More than 80 per cent of accidents occur due to the human factor,” Orlić said.

Croatia operates a Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System (VTMIS), which oversees maritime traffic across the Adriatic and is considered among the most advanced systems in Europe. Authorities are able to monitor vessels from their entry into the Adriatic through the Strait of Otranto to their arrival and departure from Croatian ports.

Orlić also highlighted Croatia’s experience with drone-based maritime surveillance. The country was among the first in Europe to introduce drone monitoring in cooperation with the European Maritime Safety Agency.

Initial operations using drones at altitudes of around 1,000 metres encountered challenges due to air traffic. Authorities have since switched to drones operating at approximately 300 metres, which do not interfere with aircraft and are being deployed to harbour master’s offices for maritime monitoring purposes.

However, he noted that drones have limitations and cannot replace broader maritime safety systems.

One of the key changes being proposed concerns practical training requirements for boat licence holders.

Under current rules, Category A licences cover vessels up to seven metres in length and require candidates to be at least 16 years old and pass an examination.

Croatia’s licensing framework currently includes five categories: Boat Leader A, B and C, and Yacht Master A and B. Practical training is already mandatory for most categories, with the exception of Boat Leader A and B.

The Boat Leader B licence, one of the most common recreational licences, allows holders to operate private vessels up to 18 metres in length within 12 nautical miles of the coast. At present, practical training is not required for this category.

Under the proposed reforms, practical training will become mandatory for Boat Leader B candidates, while the number of training hours required for other licence categories will also be increased.

Boat Leader C licences, which permit the operation of yachts and vessels of up to 30 gross tonnes, already require mandatory training before candidates can sit the examination.

The government is also considering increasing penalties for maritime offences.

Orlić said fines should be viewed as the final stage of a broader safety strategy that includes prevention, education and the promotion of responsible boating culture. While current penalties are considered relatively low, he believes that higher fines alone would not have prevented incidents such as the fatal collision near Split or other recent maritime fatalities.

Nevertheless, stricter penalties are expected to target reckless, aggressive and irresponsible behaviour at sea.

During the peak summer months of July and August, around 150,000 boats, yachts and other vessels are present on the Adriatic, creating challenging conditions for maritime authorities.

Despite the recent tragedy, Orlić said Croatia remains among the best-equipped countries in the European Union when it comes to maritime safety technology and monitoring systems.

The proposed licensing reforms are expected to form part of wider efforts to strengthen safety standards and reduce the number of accidents in Croatian waters.