Fire and Sinking of the Fishing Vessel Lokarda – Territorial Waters of the Republic of Croatia, 5 June 2021

On 5 June 2021, in the territorial waters of the Republic of Croatia (15.4 NM south of Balun Bay on the island of Žirje), a fire broke out in the engine room of the fishing vessel Lokarda. The crew quickly detected the fire and began firefighting efforts. Shortly after, at 12:56 local time (UTC +2), a distress call was sent from Lokarda. The crew was unable to contain the fire, which soon spread to the superstructure and then to the rest of the vessel. As the fire also engulfed the life raft, the crew was forced to await rescue in the sea.

The fishing vessel Strelica was the first to arrive at the scene and rescued the crew members, who were already suffering from hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to the sea. Three public service vessels and the cargo ship Kijac then arrived. Firefighting efforts were initiated, but as they proved ineffective, a firefighting vessel from the Šibenik-Knin County Fire Department was dispatched. Due to an unexpected malfunction of that vessel, another firefighting vessel, Sveti Florijan, was deployed and arrived at the burning vessel around 08pm, continuing the firefighting efforts.

As a result of the Marine accident, Lokarda sank at approximately 09:05 pm on the same day, due to fire-induced damage, settling on the seafloor at a depth of approximately 180 meters. No fatalities or injuries were reported among the crew or third parties, and no damage to third parties occurred. Following the sinking, firefighters from Sveti Florijan observed minor surface pollution, which was immediately contained and remediated.