The RO-RO passenger vessel Ugljan was operating on her regular route between Gazenica (Zadar), the island of Ugljan, and the islet of Osljak. Shortly after departing from Osljak port, the master steered the ship towards Gazenica, handed over the watch to the chief officer, and left the bridge. The chief officer, while navigating the vessel, simultaneously carried out administrative tasks on a computer.
The helmsman, who controlled the propulsion levers, noticed on the starboard side, at a distance of only a few cables, a sailing boat under both sail and engine, approaching on a course presenting a direct collision risk. He immediately reported this to the chief officer, who, after assessing the situation, began reducing the vessel’s speed and shortly thereafter sounded the ship’s horn.
The boat’s skipper became aware of the danger only after hearing the sound signal; however, due to surprise, panic, and lack of time, he was unable to take any action. The boat continued on her unaltered course and speed, colliding with the starboard bow of the vessel.
Following the collision, the skipper jumped into the sea. The master, having returned to the bridge and resumed control of the ship, carried out manoeuvres to prevent the person in the water from encountering the ship’s propellers. The vessel’s crew, led by the chief officer, reacted quickly and in a coordinated manner successfully completed the rescue operation.
As the boat’s engine remained running, the vessel continued moving despite damage to her sails and mast equipment until maritime authority personnel took control, after which it was towed to the marina in Zadar. The Ugljan did not sustain any significant damage and soon resumed her scheduled voyage.
A contributory factor to the accident was the complete absence of a visual lookout on board the sailing boat, which prevented a timely response and the execution of a manoeuvre by which the skipper could have avoided the ship, which did not take collision-avoidance action. This conduct was the consequence of reduced awareness of the risks associated with operating a sailing boat, primarily as a result of the skipper’s inexperience and unfamiliarity with the local navigation area.
On the vessel’s side, the following contributory factors were identified: delayed visual detection of the boat, as the chief officer was temporarily engaged in computer work, a circumstance associated with the limited crew composition with only a single deck officer; and the failure to use radar and ARPA systems for collision-risk assessment.
The combination of these factors resulted in a situation that led to the collision between the two vessels.
As a result of this investigation, two safety lessons were issued: one concerning the necessity of maintaining a proper lookout and taking timely preventive measures to avoid the risk of collision, and the other containing safety guidance for charter providers and users of boats and yachts in nautical tourism.
Safety recommendations are addressed to those best placed to implement them, with the aim of preventing future marine casualties and incidents and improving the safety of navigation system. Safety recommendations do not apportion blame or determine liability for a marine casualty.
On the basis of the findings of the safety investigation into this marine casualty, and following the analysis and conclusions of this report, the Air, Maritime and Railway Accident Investigation Agency considers that Safety Recommendation No. AIN05-SR-8/2025, issued to the company Jadrolinija as part of the Final Report into the very serious marine casualty involving the RO-RO passenger vessel Lastovo, is equally applicable to the marine casualty examined in this report.
Accordingly, no additional safety recommendation of identical content will be issued.
Based on the results of the safety investigation of this accident, and derived from the analysis and conclusions of this report, the Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency issue the following safety lesson:
✓ AIN05-SL-8/2026
The Importance of Maintaining a Proper Lookout and Taking Timely Preventive Action to Avoid the Risk of Collision
Maintaining a proper lookout and taking timely preventive action to avoid collisions at sea is a fundamental principle of safe and responsible navigation. This is achieved by visual observation, by hearing, and by all available means.
The duty of the navigator is not limited to reacting when an immediate risk of collision becomes apparent, as such action is often taken too late. It is essential to identify the risk of collision at an early stage and to take appropriate measures in a timely manner to avoid close-quarters situations.
Even a brief lapse in lookout or reduced attention, when combined with other factors, may lead to undesirable consequences. Officers of the watch should not engage in administrative tasks or other distracting activities during navigation, as these reduce situational awareness and may delay or prevent timely decision-making to mitigate risk.
Where available, radar and integrated ARPA systems should be used as valuable tools in assessing the risk of collision, particularly in areas of dense traffic. The integrated use of electronic navigation systems and visual observation significantly enhances navigational safety.
The Agency has previously issued several similar safety lessons concerning the principles of maintaining a proper lookout and collision avoidance. All recipients are therefore invited to take note of the following:
– AIN05-SL-1/2024: The importance of maintaining a proper lookout and taking timely preventive action to avoid the risk of collision
– AIN05-SL-4/2026: Maintaining a proper lookout and taking preventive action to avoid the risk of grounding
Recipients: This safety lesson is addressed to all seafarers, especially for members of the navigational watch, as well as those undergoing education and training for such duties; legal entities engaged in maritime education and professional training; and shipping companies.
✓ AIN05-SL-9/2026
Safety Guidance for Charterers and Users of Yachts and Small Craft in Nautical Tourism
Yacht and boat skippers, as well as all other participants in maritime traffic, should be aware of the importance of maintaining a proper lookout and of the consistent application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Yacht and boat skippers, as well as all other participants in maritime traffic, should be aware of the importance of maintaining a proper lookout and of the consistent application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Although responsibility for the safe navigation of a charter boat rests solely with the skipper, it should be recognised that many of them are not professional navigators, but tourists on holiday. As such, they often lack sufficient navigational experience, particularly in local conditions and in sea areas with increased traffic density, where the risk of collision is higher.
Accordingly, their assessment of risk and responses in more complex situations may be ineffective. In such circumstances, the safety of navigation may become more a matter of chance than the result of prudent seamanship in accordance with established rules.
Charter companies are therefore advised to provide, prior to handover of the boat, a concise and comprehensive safety briefing. This should focus on the proper operation of the vessel, the identification of hazardous situations, and responsible conduct during navigation, particularly in conditions of increased traffic. The briefing should cover basic navigation rules, specific characteristics of the local area, expected hazards, common navigation errors, and recommended actions in the event of unforeseen situations.
Users should also be made aware of examples of marine accidents that have occurred in the local sea area, in order to highlight the consequences of non-compliance with regulations and inadequate lookout.
The aim of this safety guidance is to reduce the risk of collision and other incidents during charter operations, while increasing awareness and responsibility among skippers and their accompanied crew members and passengers.
Adresati: Korisnici jahti i brodica u nautičkom turizmu, te charter kompanije koje se bave iznajmljivanjem plovila.
