Boating · Adriatic

Sailing rules in Croatia

A summary of key rules for boaters: vessel equipment, order in ports and at sea, and collision avoidance. Based on the Ordinance on the safety of maritime navigation (NN 52/2025).

Vessel equipment

Sound equipment depends on length: whistle from 12 m, bell from 20 m, gong from 100 m; smaller vessels need some means of making an effective sound signal (Art. 36).
Navigation lights must meet minimum ranges for the vessel's length (Art. 25).
Class A AIS is mandatory for ships entering Croatian ports or in innocent passage (Art. 74); fishing vessels of 15 m and over likewise (Art. 75).

Order in ports and anchoring

Vessels up to 20 m must keep clear of larger vessels within a half-circle of one nautical mile from a port entrance (Art. 46).
Vessels entering a port must not hinder vessels leaving it (Art. 46).
Fishing in ports and their approaches is not allowed (Art. 47).
Before anchoring, check for prohibited areas and other vessels' anchors and moorings (Art. 53).
No anchoring near submarine cables and pipelines, within 50 m of a designated bathing area fence or 150 m of a natural beach; mooring in bathing areas is prohibited (Art. 53).

Speed and distance from shore

Within 300 m of the shore, in narrow channels and port approaches the limit is 8 knots (Art. 50).
Planing of motorboats and jet skis is allowed only beyond 300 m from the shore (Art. 50).
Minimum distance from shore: 300 m for vessels of 30 m+, 150 m for 15-30 m, 50 m for smaller; personal watercraft no closer than 50 m (Art. 49).
Neretva river: 5 knots near settlements, 7 knots elsewhere (Art. 68).

Collision avoidance (COLREG)

Keep a proper lookout and a safe speed in all visibility conditions (Art. 8-10).
Narrow channels: keep to the starboard side of the fairway (Art. 12).
Overtaking: approach from abaft the beam; the overtaking vessel keeps clear (Art. 16).
Head-on: both vessels alter course to starboard (Art. 17).
Crossing: the vessel that sees the other on its starboard side gives way (Art. 18).
The stand-on vessel keeps its course and speed (Art. 20).
Power-driven vessels give way to sailing and fishing vessels (Art. 21); sailing vessels among themselves by wind side (Art. 15).
Restricted visibility: safe speed, engines ready, fog signals (Art. 22).

Lights and signals

Power-driven vessel: masthead, sidelights and sternlight (Art. 26); sailing vessel: sidelights and sternlight (Art. 28).
Anchored vessel: all-round white light or a ball forward (Art. 33).
One short blast - turning to starboard, two - to port, three - astern; at least five short blasts - doubt/danger (Art. 37).
In restricted visibility a power-driven vessel sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of up to two minutes (Art. 38).
Misuse of distress signals is prohibited (Art. 40).

Official sources

This is an informational summary, not legal advice. Only the text published in Narodne novine is authoritative; the skipper must know the applicable regulations.

Safety

Emergency at sea

Croatia's national maritime search and rescue coordination centre (MRCC Rijeka) is on watch 24 hours a day. Save the number before you set off.

Before you call, have ready the boat's position (coordinates or the nearest headland, island or bay), the number of people on board and a description of the problem. A call to 112 is put through to the maritime rescue centre.

Get out on the water yourself

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The information is for guidance only and does not replace official nautical charts, pilot books or forecasts. Check the current conditions and regulations before you set off.