Legal frame Pomorski zakonik arts 49.lj and 1012 and the SAR organisation introduced by NN 17/19 (MRCC Rijeka and harbour-master sub-centres); Pravilnik NN 13/20 art. 7 (reporting accidents and incidents); NN 42/17 art. 25 (handover briefing); Civil Protection Directorate (112); police leaflet "Croatia – Nautical information".
Who to call
| Situation | Number / channel |
|---|---|
| Anyone in danger, injury, fire, sinking | 112 — free, 24/7, covers police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue at sea; operators take calls in English, German, Italian, Hungarian and Slovak |
| Search and rescue directly | 195 — MRCC Rijeka, the national rescue coordination centre, 24 hours |
| On the water with a radio | VHF 16 (distress and calling) |
| Police at sea | 192 |
Croatian search and rescue has two levels. MRCC Rijeka coordinates nationally, and the harbour masters' offices act as rescue sub-centres (MRSC) inside Croatian internal waters and the territorial sea. Whatever number you call, the alert ends up with them.
The rental company must give you the SAR and emergency numbers at handover (NN 42/17 art. 25). Save them in your phone before you leave the berth. A charged phone in a waterproof pouch is the most useful safety item on a day boat.
What to say
The 112 operator receives your phone location automatically, but give it anyway:
- where you are — a named cove, island or headland, or GPS position;
- what has happened and how many people are involved;
- the boat: type, colour, length, name or registration;
- your phone number, and stay on the line.
On VHF 16 use MAYDAY for grave and imminent danger, PAN-PAN for urgency. Only use the radio if you are qualified, or in a genuine emergency. SRC/VHF covers the procedure.
WARNING — Engine failure near rocks If the engine fails within 300 m of the shore, anchor first and call second. An anchor down in time turns an emergency into an inconvenience.
Accidents and incidents: the reporting duty
The boat regulation distinguishes two cases (NN 13/20 art. 7):
| Event | Example | Report to | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomorska nesreća (marine accident) | Collision, grounding, fire, sinking, serious injury or death | Harbour master's office (lučka kapetanija) or its branch | Without delay |
| Pomorska nezgoda (marine incident) | An event that endangered or could have endangered the boat, people or the sea | Same | Within 12 hours |
- The duty falls on the person helming the boat and on anyone who learns of the event or is involved in it.
- Reports use the form published on the Ministry's website.
- The office may order an extraordinary survey of the boat and investigates any maritime offences.
- Failing to report an accident is an offence: HRK 300–800, about €39.82–106.18 (Pomorski zakonik art. 1012).
- Serious accidents are also notified to the independent accident investigation agency (art. 49.lj).
Tell the rental company too
The handover briefing must cover the procedure after an accident (NN 42/17 art. 25). Follow it: call the company, photograph the damage and the scene, take names and numbers of other boats involved, and do not sign anything you cannot read. The liability insurance (compulsory over 15 kW) deals with third-party damage; the contract decides who pays for damage to the hired boat (Lesson 2.1).
TIP — Write it down while it is fresh Time, position, wind and sea, what each boat did. A short note made on the day is worth more than a long statement made a week later.