2025 balance sheet: SeaHelp - these problems triggered the most deployments

The nautical breakdown service SeaHelp has published its deployment report for the 2025 water sports season. The data recorded at the end of the season, with a cut-off date of 15 October, shows that the number of interventions in Croatia fell by just under five per cent compared to the previous year and remains at a very high level. This year, 870 missions were counted in the EU (2024: 983). The massive 96 per cent increase in marina-to-marina tows is particularly striking.

The total number of missions in 2025 reached around the high level of the first post-coronavirus year of 2023, when many sports skippers made up for boat holidays in the Adriatic. According to SeaHelp, a certain "normality" has returned.

Significant changes in the range of applications

The deployment statistics show interesting shifts in the range of assistance provided. In 2025, SeaHelp recorded an increase of 18 per cent in operations due to minor groundings. The increase in the resolution of technical problems was even more pronounced, rising by 35 per cent compared to 2024.

According to SeaHelp Managing Director Wolfgang Dauser, there is a simple explanation for this marked increase: due to the general decline in the total number of deployments, the deployment crews had more time to deal with technical problems. "We delivered and installed more of the requested spare parts," reports Wolfgang Dauser.

Read more about this:

• SeaHelp carries out more missions in Croatia and Italy
• How corona is driving up the number of boat breakdowns

Fewer boat holidaymakers in Croatia

Wolfgang Dauser cites the overall lower utilisation of Croatian waters this season as the main reason for the slight drop in the number of operations. From Losinj to Korcula, there was "much less going on" than in previous years. Some bays and harbours were only slightly occupied by boats. As an example, the SeaHelp managing director cites the fact that in Hvar Town at the beginning of August, the pier, which is normally fully occupied, was only half full. Even some anchor buoys opposite the old town were still free in the high season.

Italy and Slovenia

SeaHelp recorded a decline in the number of missions not only in Croatia, but also in Italy. Compared to the previous year, the number of assistance services fell by 25 per cent. Nevertheless, the breakdown service remained in high demand in Italy. The most frequent call-outs here were for minor groundings, which increased by 15 per cent.

There was a particularly significant increase in the number of assistance services due to power failure on board, jump start or jump start - SeaHelp recorded an increase of 167 per cent here. In terms of the Adriatic Sea as a whole, i.e. Croatia, Italy and Slovenia combined, the number of call-outs fell by 6.5 per cent compared to 2024.

SeaHelp is aware of changes in the usage behaviour of boat owners

SeaHelp Managing Director Wolfgang Dauser is satisfied with the figures presented for 2025. He sees the reasons for the slight decline in operations not only in the lower overall utilisation of the areas, but also in a change in the behaviour of boat owners. The skippers who travelled with their boats this season were more cautious and prudent and knew the area and their boat well. The motto among owners and charterers was often: "Always cruise around the mooring and never spend more than one night in the bay without shore power," reports Wolfgang Dauser.

Deployment category for technical problems

The category "technical problem solved" at SeaHelp generally includes all assistance that was usually offered once or when the SeaHelp crew was able to provide technical assistance on site. The spectrum ranges from replacing a V-belt to replacing fuses and manually lifting an anchor to helping with stuck sails. Passenger transports, for example of injured persons, are also included in this category.

SeaHelp adds new categories to the statistics

For the first time, the annual statistics also include the number of calls handled by the Croatian SeaHelp operations centre in Punat. By 15 October 2025, 1,380 calls had been received there - a figure that remained almost constant compared to the previous year (1,396 calls).

SOS calls received via the free SeaHelp app were also recorded for the first time: 140 emergency calls were registered via this digital channel in 2025, which also corresponds to the previous year's level (149 SOS app calls). Another new category in the statistics is "Regatta assistance and similar services", which was utilised a total of 23 times in the 2025 season.

Overview of SeaHelp's deployment figures

Croatia

• Total deployment figures: Down 5% on the previous year
• Marina-to-marina towing: Plus 96% compared to the previous year
• Slight ground contact: Up 18% compared to the previous year
• Elimination of technical problems: Up 35% compared to the previous year

Italy

• Total deployment figures: Down 25% on the previous year
• Slight ground contact: Plus 15% compared to the previous year
• Power failure/remote start aid/jump start: Plus 167% compared to the previous year

Entire Adriatic Sea (Croatia, Italy, Slovenia)

• Total deployment figures: Down 6.5% on the previous year

Communication channels

• Calls to the Punat Operations Centre: 1.380 (2024: 1.396)
• SOS calls via the SeaHelp app: 140 (2024: 149)
• Regatta support and similar services: 23

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