Legal frame Pomorski zakonik art. 134 (alcohol), arts 1002, 1006, 1007, 1011 and 1012 (offences), as amended by NN 17/19. Fines are printed in kuna; euro figures here are converted at the fixed rate 7.53450 HRK = €1.
The limit
The skipper and every crew member of a boat or yacht must not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other mind-altering substances, ill or over-tired. On duty, they may not have more than 0.5 g/kg of alcohol in the blood (art. 134(1)–(2)). The texts read contain no lower limit for young or commercial skippers.
The test
- On request, a harbour-master safety inspector or another authorised officer — in practice often the maritime police — can test you with a device (art. 134(3)).
- If you refuse, or the result is over the limit, they order a medical examination with blood and urine samples; refusing that can lead to being taken there (art. 134(4)).
- A skipper found under the influence is removed from duty for up to 8 days as a precaution, and the owner (the rental company) is told (art. 134(6)).
- If that leaves the boat without a qualified skipper, it may not sail (art. 134(7)).
The fines
| Offence | Fine (HRK, as printed) | In euro | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helming over the alcohol limit or under drugs; refusing a test or medical | 2,000–20,000 | €265.45–€2,654.46 | 1006 |
| Not following the navigation rules (speed, distances, anchoring) | 3,000–50,000 | €398.17–€6,636.14 | 1002(1) |
| Ignoring traffic-control rules or VTS orders | 1,000–30,000 | €132.72–€3,981.68 | 1002(2) |
| No licence or boat papers on board; not reporting an accident | 300–800 | €39.82–€106.18 | 1012 |
| Company letting an unqualified person helm | 5,000–10,000 | €663.61–€1,327.23 | 1011(5) |
On top of the fine for breaching the navigation rules, all or some of your certificates can be withdrawn for 1 month to 2 years (art. 1007).
Parks add their own on-the-spot fines under their internal rules (Telašćica, Mljet); the amounts are not published on the pages read.
WARNING — "One beer at lunch" 0.5 g/kg is not a generous limit on a hot afternoon after swimming, sun and little food. The test is the same whether you are at the helm of a 4 m boat or a 15 m yacht, and the crew limit applies to anyone helping to run the boat.
Inspections: what they look at
The police leaflet for nautical visitors lists the routine checks:
- the boat's papers and the skipper's licence;
- seaworthiness for the area and purpose, and minimum crew;
- alcohol and drugs;
- distance off the coast, and whether jet skis and fast boats plane where they may;
- speed in harbours, so that wash does not damage other boats or the quay.
Have the licence, the boat's registration, the insurance and the handover record together in a dry bag. A missing document alone is an offence (art. 1012).
TIP — Fines and foreigners Fines are imposed under the misdemeanour procedure and must be paid in euro. Ask for a receipt. Disputes are for a lawyer, not for the quayside.