Croatia: Major enforcement operation in the Adriatic – 182 offences and €79,000 in fines
Jill Grigoleit
· 31.07.2026
On 29 July, the Croatian authorities significantly stepped up their enforcement efforts in the Adriatic Sea. Under the name ‘Sigurna plovidba 2026’ – roughly translating as ‘Safe Shipping 2026’ – a coordinated targeted inspection operation took place across all eight Croatian harbour master’s offices. From 10 am to 6 pm, a total of 115 staff members were deployed in 35 patrol boats. Together, they covered 1,441 nautical miles.
The result: 382 inspections, 182 breaches identified and fines totalling 79,208.49 euros. According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, 44,884.24 euros of this amount was collected directly at the scene of the breach. In purely mathematical terms, this means that at least one offence was detected in just under 48 per cent of the checks.
What was checked?
According to the Ministry, the checks carried out as part of the “centralised coordinated operation to step up the monitoring of maritime traffic in the Adriatic” were not limited to speeding or dangerous driving. The authorities checked compliance with a wide range of regulations relevant to boat owners, charterers and skippers. Among other things, the following were checked:
- the validity of shipping documents and other documents
- the required number of crew members
- Skippers’ and crew members’ qualifications
- compliance with the permitted passenger capacity on excursion boats
- Mandatory notifications via the Croatian CIMIS system
- the lawful conduct of charter transactions
- the discharge of black water and grey water into the sea
- as well as the behaviour of other road users, including swimmers and divers.
Monitoring with the support of the VTS
The emergency services were supported by the Croatian Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). Staff on shore provided the patrol boats with real-time information on areas with particularly heavy shipping traffic, observed infringements, and identified and unidentified vessels.
The operation was not limited solely to penalising offences. According to the Ministry, it was also intended to have a preventative and educational effect. The vessels inspected were made aware of the importance of safety regulations – both before setting sail and whilst underway. “This is our traditional initiative, through which we aim to raise awareness of maritime safety in the Adriatic, given the increasing number of ships arriving each year,” emphasised Captain Siniša Orlić, Director of the Directorate for Navigation Safety at the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.
More offences in Croatia than last year
The figures are higher than those from the comparable campaign in 2025. At that time, 133 offences were detected during 355 inspections. The Ministry points out, however, that the number of boats on the Adriatic has risen significantly over the past ten years, whilst the number of boating accidents has fallen slightly. The number of offences has not increased proportionally despite the rise in traffic, explained Siniša Orlić, head of the relevant Croatian authority, in the run-up to the operation.
Meanwhile, the harbour master’s offices continued to carry out their regular duties throughout the inspection operation. Among other things, staff were involved in several urgent medical transport operations, particularly in the Zadar and Split areas of responsibility.
Are you interested in Croatia as a holiday destination? Read more here about this dream destination on the Adriatic:
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
