The passenger transport vessel “477 CK” was owned by a passenger transport business and operated by a boatmaster (Croatian citizen). The vessel had one passenger on board (the boatmaster’s minor daughter, also a Croatian citizen). Although designed for passenger transport, it was on a non-commercial voyage without cargo. Based on testimony, it was navigating across the Vinodol Channel (east-northeast direction) at a speed of 4 knots, from Klimno Bay (Krk Island) towards the port of Crikvenica.
The private-use vessel “ZD 9572” was owned by an individual. On that day, its owner and boatmaster (Croatian citizen) launched the vessel into the sea in Novi Vinodolski and set course across the Vinodol Channel towards Vrbnik (Krk Island). No other crew members or passengers were aboard. The vessel was not used for commercial navigation or cargo transport. After Vrbnik, its destination and exact course were unknown. According to a witness, just before the collision, the vessel was moving along the Vinodol Channel (southeast direction), closer to the Crikvenica side, presumably from the port of Crni Molo (Crikvenica) towards Cape Glavina (Krk Island).
Both vessels were navigating in daylight and under favourable weather conditions: a southeast breeze (wind force 1–2 Bf) with wind speeds of 4–6 knots, slightly choppy to small wave conditions (sea state 1–2) with average wave heights of 0.1–0.5 m, clear skies, no precipitation, air temperature around 29°C, good visibility of approximately 10 km, and an atmospheric pressure of 1015 hPa. The water depth in the channel was around 45 m, with weak tidal currents up to 0.3 knots.
According to testimony, approximately 30 seconds before the collision, at a distance of several hundred meters, the boatmaster of vessel “477 CK” noticed the other vessel approaching at high speed while planning (from the left side) and estimated its speed to be 35–40 knots. At about 50 meters distance, he immediately reduced speed, turned to the right, and began shouting and waving to alert the other vessel’s operator to change course, but without success.
On June 22, 2017, at 06:00 pm local time (UTC +2), the two vessels collided in the Vinodol Channel (0.63 NM west of the Crikvenica harbour breakwater, at position: φ = 45° 10.281′ N / λ = 014° 40.367′ E).
Consequences of the Collision:
In the collision (between the bow-right side of vessel “ZD 9572” and the bow-left side of vessel “477 CK”), the boatmaster of vessel “ZD 9572” sustained serious injuries, fell into the sea, and began sinking. His life was saved by the quick reaction of the other vessel’s boatmaster. Meanwhile, vessel “ZD 9572,” now unmanned and with its engine running, veered slightly to the right, continued uncontrolled at high speed, struck rocks and a protective fence, and eventually ran aground on a nearby beach in front of the Omorika Hotel (Crikvenica – Dramalj).
According to the testimony of the boatmaster of vessel “ZD 9572,” he regained consciousness in the intensive care unit and does not recall when he felt unwell, which direction he was navigating, or how he ended up at the collision site. He remembers that his vessel had a safety wrist strap but does not know whether he was using it.
There were no fatalities or injuries aboard vessel “477 CK.” However, the collision, subsequent impact, and grounding caused significant damage to vessel “ZD 9572.” Vessel “477 CK” sustained minor damage from the collision. Upon impact on the beach, two female individuals (one adult and one minor) sustained minor injuries, and several people’s belongings on the beach were damaged. No fuel or oil pollution was observed at the collision, impact, or grounding sites.
Emergency Response and Investigation Closure:
After rescuing the boatmaster of vessel “ZD 9572” from drowning, vessel “477 CK” alerted the relevant authorities and contacted the owner of the passenger ship Primorka, whose crew later retrieved the injured boatmaster from the sea and handed him over to emergency services at the Crikvenica harbor. Emergency responders also provided medical care and transport for the two injured women.
Based on findings from the investigation, it was concluded that further inquiry into this serious Marine accident would not yield new safety recommendations for preventing similar Marine incidents or improving navigation safety. Notably, the Marine Accident Investigation Department had already investigated and completed an inquiry into a very similar Marine accident with an almost identical outcome, which occurred in the Pelješac Channel three weeks later, on July 12, 2017 (also a collision between Croatian and Czech vessels).
The final report on that incident included a safety recommendation derived from its analysis, which applies equally to this case. Therefore, it was decided to close this safety investigation.
