The Croatian SAR forces had to leave for 454 missions last year, during which they freed 765 people from more or less great distress at sea. Most of the missions were for pleasure craft. The number of fatalities in the annual balance is relatively high at 40, compared to 33 in 2016.
Statistics of SAR deployments
As before, the rescuers do not certify that water sports enthusiasts in need are too competent. According to the emergency services, the three main reasons for their problems are rather mundane: In first place, disregard of publicly distributed weather warnings, then a lack of nautical knowledge and insufficient or defective equipment on board - no glory for the recreational skipper
Statistics of SAR deployments
The private aid service SeaHelp also drew a balance on a similar level. His employees had to move out 653 times, 489 times for sailing boats alone. Although the Austrian organization does SAR missions for the Croats, it naturally functions more as a technical support service. In their statistics, after being towed, fuel problems and spare parts deliveries were the reason for use. Overall, the numbers are slightly below the previous year, when 694 missions had to be carried out.
Statistics of SAR deployments