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AN ARCHIPELAGO IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

The eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea belonging to Croatia really is a series of islands and coastline surrounded by Europe. The Germans, Austrians or Czech and Hungarians must travel south to reach it; the French must travel towards the east, the Italians northeast or north and the Greeks depending on where they’re coming from, from the northwest. The Adriatic aquatorium has cut deep inland, while its eastern coast is adorned with 1185 islands, islets, reefs and rocks. Owing to its extensive indentedness the Croatian coast is 5951 Kilometres long. Even in ancient times, before the Croatians inhabited this region, it was one of the most important waterways. Greek colonies stretched across towards the north, all the way to Tragurium and later it was the inner sea of the Great Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages navigation through it was controlled by the Venetians, later the French, then English and Austrians. We Croatians were also great and able seamen. Sailing ships of the Dubrovnik Republic in the 13th century navigated across the entire Mediterranean, while a few centuries later sailing ships from the islands of Pelješac and Lošinj, after great geographical discoveries, sailed to the shores of the New World. Uskoci and pirates of Senj and Neretva, never conquered, ruled the interior channels and seas.

The time of battles for domination over the seas in the heart of Europe is long gone. Today the Adriatic is visited by sailing enthusiasts from throughout Europe searching for the best atmosphere for their sailing adventures and using the very developed nautical infrastructure. Many of them keep the boats in Adriatic marinas, while others keep there yachts stationed on the Italian coast of the Adriatic. There are an increasing number of those hiring boats and many also arrive from faraway Mediterranean ports and coasts to sail on the Croatian part of the Adriatic. What is that attracts them here? First and foremost the number and diversity of the islands and coastlines, followed by the towns and people, the fish and wine and special ambiance. Another reason may also be that on the Croatian part of the Adriatic people can see life as it once was on the Adriatic decades ago, they can still find people living in symbiotic harmony with the sea and nature, they can still find lonely coves where the beach will for a time belong to them alone, with the sound of the waves and chirping of crickets in the background.

The islands of the Adriatic Sea are ideally dispersed, especially for sailors. They stretch, with a few small gaps, along the entire length of the coast, in a chain running from Rijeka to Dubrovnik. Rarely separated one from the other more than ten nautical miles they create numerous channels between themselves and between the mainland coast. There are over a thousand and a half bays and harbours on the islands and mainland coast where berths and anchorages can be found to pass the night. These are ideal spots to navigate under sails or cruise on a motorised yacht or sport fishing barque. Nothing is far away, and if you want to you can spend another entire day in sailing. If the weather turns bad or if a strong winds picks up there is always somewhere nearby to take easy and safe refuge. The Adriatic Sea, like any other sea, is not a dangerous water. One ought to know its winds, rules and temper and sail by the book in order for sailing to be safe and thereby pleasant. Sailors are for the most part well acquainted with the chief winds that blow on the Adriatic Sea. These are the north-easterly (Bura), the cyclonic and anticyclonic Bura, the southerly (Jugo), the cyclonic and anticyclonic Jugo, the south-westerly (Lebić), the north-westerly (Maestral), the easterly (Levant), the winter Levant, the westerly Pulentada, the northerly (Tramontana) and the light north-easterly breeze (Burin). Each of these winds has its own specific characteristics, the details of which you can find in any better guidebook. Nevertheless, during the sailing season the conditions for sailing, including navigating under sails, are most often favourable. The Maestral and Tramontana are the most frequent winds and are pleasant for sailing. The same goes for the Levant, while a strong southerly is rare in the summer. Even the Bura is weaker during the season, even thought it and summer squalls should be kept well in mind. The indentedness of the coastline, the currents and local winds make navigating interesting. There is always something happing on board a ship. Always something to keep in mind. To make our destination we usually have to adjust the course and way we sail. On a sailboat, one moment you are sailing down wind, and then you need to turn into the wind, and then navigate a narrow channel or sea gate. The diversity is the same if sailing a motor launch. The landscape is endlessly changing as you sail. In places the coast is a practically uninhabited wilderness, battered by the winter Bura, like those to the north sides of the islands of Rab and Pag. The southern exposures are usually, especially as you make your way further south, rich in vegetation. One moment you will be sailing along a thick pine forest descending right down to the sea, like those on the islands of Lastovo or Jakljan, the next moment your view will be screened by macchia or the rocky terrain of the Karst. You will pass by and make harbour alongside both Mediterranean cities and small fishing settlements. You will often come across bays with only two or three houses. To say nothing of beaches like Zlatni rat on the island of Bol, which changes its shape depending on the prevailing wind.

Island localities are diverse and interesting and well worth getting to know. The historical continuity of many of them, like Korčula, Hvar, Vis, date back to ancient times and as a result they bear the markings of urban life of long ago eras. Other places are younger and emerged as fishing ports or ports of large island settlements further back from the sea. As many of the inhabitants of the Adriatic islands lived off agriculture they built their settlements in the interior and as rule on the slopes alongside fertile fields. Such places have for the most part preserved their autochthonous appearance, admittedly with few inhabitants, but when you visit them you will experience the spirit of times long past.

The Adriatic can be divided in various ways. Most often it is divided into the north and south, with the halfway point at the point Planka between Rogoznica and Primošten. However, for the purposes of navigation, we can divide the northern part into three sections. Istra, Kvarner and sub-Velebit islands and coast; the Zadar and Šibenik archipelago and coast; the southern Adriatic encompasses the section from Rogoznica to the point Prevlaka on the border with Montenegro. Each of these sections is very different and interesting in its own way.

Istra

Istra and its coast, for many sailing enthusiasts, is the first part of the Adriatic that they become acquainted with. If one comes from Slovenia, Trst, marina Monfalcone or Lignana, Venice and Ravene, usually one of the ports or marinas in the western Istrian coast is the first one they will come across. The Istrian coast is low and tame, with luscious vegetation and distinctive settlements. Rovinj, Poreč, Vrsar and Pula are its pearls. The coastline is indented, with many coves but also many shallows which must be looked out for, especially on its western side. Here too are many large and well equipped marinas. The eastern coastline is its complete opposite. Except in the southern most areas, where the land cuts in to form the Medulin bay and Premanturska cove and in spite of many coves and bays all the way to Mošćenička draga, Lovran and Opatija, the coastline is much steeper and much less inhabited. A coast like this is a challenge of sorts to sailing enthusiasts, as there is a multitude of places to sail to and places to stay here. The Raški bay, Krnik port and Rabac may, for example, be a discovery. When we arrive in Opatija we are well into Kvarner.

Kvarner

The Kvarner and sub-Velebit islands and coastline offer a completely different picture. In appearance the coastline appears savage, under mountains which rise right above the sea. The northern side of the islands are often bare and furrowed by the bura, while the southern sides are overflowing with Mediterranean vegetation. Here we have the large islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj, Rab and Pag, but also the smaller islands of Susak, Ilovik, Premuda, Silba, Olib, Ist, Molat and Ini. On the coastline of some of these are also large and modern marinas like the one in Ičići near Opatija or Cres and Punta on Krk… The usual nautical routes lie between the channels between these islands which they join the northern and southern Adriatic and so during the summer season they are filled with sail boats and yachts heading towards their destination in the south or returning from it. This is a coastline with an abundance of bays and anchorages in which sailing enthusiasts will find places for enjoyment. It is enough to say Punta Križa, Artatore, Ilovik, Krijal, Brg bay to conjure up before the eyes a picture of a series of boats safely anchored. The sub-Velebit channel is the complete opposite. The nearly completely bare coast descends steeply to the sea but it is also possible to find beauty and seclusion in the small coves, small bays or larger bays like Zavratnica.

Dalmatia

When sailing towards the south and we pass Sedmovraće, we enter into the Zadar and Šibenik archipelago. Again we meet with a low and fertile coastline with some of the oldest city agglomerations on the Adriatic. The small town of Nin and cities of Zadar, Biograd and Šibenik are full of traces of the past but also cradle of Croatia’s exit to the sea. There is an extensive series of islands facing this coastline which includes Dugi otok, Ugljan and Pašman, Kornati, Iž, Murter, Zlarin, Žirje, Prvić and the unique island of Krapanj are only a few of these. Everything is here for our choosing. If we want to delight in the primeval atmosphere of the National Park Kornati where we will be in the company of Kornati locals or if we are interested in small island localities or if we’re looking for an out of the way place or we want to anchor in a bay like Telašćica or Tijašćice, the choice is ours. We can also choose to sail deep inland, sailing alongside Šibenik, down the estuary of the river Krk and Prokljan Lake all the way to Skradin, a small locality with a marina and anchorage a stone throw away from the National Park Krka whose waterfalls leave no one indifferent.

The Dalmatian coastline and islands, with their beauty and uniqueness, will reward all those who come here. It is unique for its coastal cities. Travelling from Dubrovnik towards Split and Trogir or the pearls of the Adriatic, like Hvar, Korčula and the newly discovered Vis and Lastovo are only a part of the beauty awaiting for you here. Again, mountains like the massif Biokovo over Makarska rise above the sea. However as opposed to the bare Velebit, here large and dense pine forests descend to the sea itself. The Dalmatian islands are by general consensus the most beautiful islands of the Adriatic islands so they are definitely worth a mention. Drvenik Veliki and Mali. Šolta, Brač, Hvar Vis, Biševo, Svetac, Korčula, Lastovo, Sušac, Mljet, Jakljan, Šipan, Lopud, Koločep and Lokrum are the largest and the most beautiful among them. Of course here too is the mythical Palagruža far in open seas of the Adriatic. Here too, is the Pelješac peninsula. Sailing along the channels between these islands is a truly unique experience. Regardless of whether you sail along calm seas (bonaca), you sail along with a the summer wind maestral or are thrown around by the bura, as you sail by you will see a beautiful Mediterranean landscape, old cities and fishing settlements. Here too you are awaited by marinas, ports and coves. Some marinas are unique. The ACI marina in Split where you with berth almost in the centre of the port of Diocletian’s city, Komolac in Dubrovnik where you will be located deep in a fjord comprised of the estuary of the river Ombla or Palmižina on the Pakleni islands where you will literally be in a Mediterranean heaven. What can be said about the port of the Stari grad on Hvar or Vis and Komiža or waterfront of Korčula or about the bays of Vela Luka or Lastovo. Unforgettable and absolutely unique. And of course they must be discovered over and over again.

THE THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT SAILING IN CROATIA

For as long as there has been yachting, the numerous forerunners of present-day yachters have sailed the Croatia shores of the Adriatic Sea. Once they were exclusively wealthy yacht owners, famous industrialists and crowned heads. Later, as the yachting movement was developed and democratised, especially during the 1970s, the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea became the destination or base of a much greater number of vessels. In recent years Croatia regularly records the entry of several tens of thousands of foreign vessels each year, while some ten thousand vessels sailing under foreign colours are berthed in Croatian marinas. All sailors are welcome in Croatian territorial waters, and procedures and regulations for entry are simple, but should be kept in mind to make the stay as pleasant as possible The navigation of foreign sailors in Croatia is regulated by the maritime Code and accompanying regulations. Upon entering Croatian waters, they are obliged to head to the nearest maritime customs checkpoint and then to the Harbourmaster's Office to purchase a vignette (sticker) permitting them to sail in Croatian territorial waters for one year, starting with the date the vignette was purchased. This effectively makes the vignette a permit to sail in Croatian territorial waters. When purchasing the vignette, costs are covered for the navigation safety duty, lighthouse duty and the administrative duty. The amount of the navigation safety duty depends on the length of the vessel. If the vessel comes to Croatia several years in a row these duties are reduced. During the vignette's validity period double the number of crewmembers plus thirty percept of the number of crewmembers that may stay on the vessel according to the on-board documentation of the vessel in question can be changed. Children under the age of 12 will not be included in that number. New crewmembers are entered into the Crew List form, which is certified at the Harbourmaster's Office and must be on the vessel when it is in use. Before the vessel leaves Croatian waters it must call in to a maritime customs checkpoint and then sail by the shortest route out of Croatian territorial waters.

The following maritime border checkpoints are always open: Umag, Poreč, Rovinj, Pula, Raša (Bršica), Rijeka, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Ploče, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Vela Luka and Ubli, while checkpoints at the ACI marinas in Umag, Novigrad, Sali, Božava, Primošten, Hvar, Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, Vis, Komiža and Cavtat are also open during the peak tourism season. Customs checks and passport controls are carried out at these points. If, for some exceptional reason, a vessel is unable to sail to one of these harbours it shall be directed to the nearest Harbourmaster's Office. Owners of vessels that have arrived in Croatia by land must also call in to the Harbourmaster's Office before their vessel is launched to sea where, with the necessary documentation a vignette is purchased providing permission to sail.

The skipper of the vessel must be in possession of evidence on competency regarding the operation of the vessel which is in accordance with national regulations of the country under whose flag it is sailing or in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Croatia.

CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY

The chief responsibility for the safety of the vessel and the crew lies with the skipper and the crew itself. It is, nevertheless, good to know that the National Maritime Search & Rescue Centre, the Harbourmaster's Office, Police vessels, the Croatian Navy and special-service vessels are always standing by to assist in safe navigation, accident prevention, and to provide assistance in the case of an accident or breakdown.

The National Centre for Search and Rescue at Sea (SAR) with its headquarters in Rijeka, coordinates search and rescue missions as required and with other neighbouring countries. If necessary, military vessels, fishing boats and other vessels, including airplanes and helicopters that find themselves in some aquatorium are also included in rescue missions. To rescue someone in danger, timely and coordinated efforts of all participating in the rescue are often most important. Along with the Centre, port authorities (of which there are eight) are also on duty 24 hours a day. Therefore in the event of distress on your or some other vessel, one of the participants in this system should be notified as quickly as possible.

On channels 16 and 10 a 24 hour watch service has been organised. The National Centre for Search and Rescue also always has the telephone number 9155 available and it also reacts in the GMDSS system. Other than the telephone number 9155, knowing how to use radio stations and sending signals via the GMDSS system, it is also good to know the telephone numbers of port authorities. The port authorities have more than 55 vessels at their disposal which can be used in all weather conditions and on the territory of the entire Adriatic aquatorium. You may also contact port authorities when you need meteorological or other information and not only when you need help. (You may obtain a list of all telephone numbers, including those of port authority branches, in every port authority office or branch.)

The Croatian marine police have about forty vessels at their disposal, distributed among seven police administrations. With the aid of these vessels they carry out monitoring of the state border, 950 kilometres long and monitoring of internal waterways. Other than monitoring, the marine police also participate in search and rescue missions at sea. By formation, the Public company Plovput and the Croatian Hydrographic Institute are also responsible for safe navigation on the Adriatic. The basic task of Plovput is care for the maintenance of marine routes and radio services, within its competency are all lighthouses and port lights, or more than 1000 marine signalisation facilities, while the Hydrographic Institute conducts scientific research, developmental and professional projects connected to safe navigation on the Adriatic, hydrographic-geodesic measurements of the Adriatic, marine geodesic activities, planning and drafting of marine maps and nautical publications and also carry out oceanographic research and research of the underwater geology.

The greatest part of communications on vessels still takes place via the radio. The public company Plovput is responsible for the maintenance of marine radio services which it carries out through the coastal radio stations in Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik. Their activities encompass: watch service (VHF ch 16 and VHF DSC ch 70), radio services for safe navigation (VHR radiotelephone and NAVTEX system), medical advice and assistance services (VHF radiotelephone), commercial radio services (VHF radiotelephone), state administration radio services (Centre for search and rescue, port authorities…)
Plovput is also involved in the modernisation process of marine telecommunications through the new Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Legislation determines which vessels must have a ship VHF station.

MARINAS, SPORTS AND MUNICIPAL SMALL HARBOURS, PORTS

There are currently fifty-four classic marinas in Croatia targeted to providing permanent and transit commercial berthing for sailors. There are 15188 berths in water and 4338 dry berths at these marinas. Marinas being constructed in recent years provide a growing number of berths for large and mega yachts. The construction of a large number of new marinas is in the works so that this offer is seeing constant expansion from year to year. Besides these marinas, sailors are also offered the option to berth at the many jetties, sports and municipal harbours and waterfronts organised and equipped to accept small and large vessels, including mega yachts.

As a rule, Croatian marinas are very well constructed and located in excellent locations. The majority of these were constructed in the last thirty years. They are located either in larger cities or beautiful island coves, mostly in the immediate vicinity of the most interesting and favourite aquatoriums of sailing enthusiasts. It is difficult to find fault with them, except maybe in regards to their proportionally small number of berths for large yachts. However, this situation is rapidly changing because in all new marinas a large number of berths constructed are for yachts from thirty and over metres in length, while a number of existing berths are being adapted for these ships. Berths in marinas are safe, constructed so that they can withstand bad weather conditions which occur through out the year and they are maintained by experienced, trained and well equipped seamen. Special care is paid to the state of the underwater parts like anchors, chains and mooring-posts. Once, in comparison to other Mediterranean marinas, especially French, Italian and Spanish ones, our marinas trailed behind in regards to offer. However, this status has changed radically in the last ten years. Along with quality berths, slipways, derricks and trawl lift facilities, there is an ever increasing number of excellently equipped services carrying out all necessary work on ship maintenance, that is electronics on yachts, service and repairs of motors to maintenance and repair of hulls. In the marinas there are numerous restaurants and cafes, nautical equipment stores and shops, and this offering is increasing every year. Numerous marinas also have the prestigious Blue flag, which means they are environmentally conscious. Much is being done on the renovation and maintenance of existing marinas, so that the quality of berths and security are constantly increasing.
Last year too saw many new developments in this respect.

For sailing enthusiasts it will not be difficult to choose a favourable and safe location for an overnight or many day stay; for the most part there is little more than ten nautical miles between two ports or anchorages.
The marinas are most densely distributed on the western coast of Istra and in the region from Zadar to Vodice. They are rarer on islands. Most of them are open all year round, but a smaller number are open only during the summer season. The services they offer vary from those basic ones (Piškera, Žut) to extensive offer which will satisfy even the most demanding sailing enthusiasts (Umag, Ičići, Hramina, Frapa, Rijeka Dubrovačka).

Twenty-one Croatian marinas are owned by ACI Club d.d., a unique company in the Mediterranean. Sailing from one marina to another in this chain one can tour the entire eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Most of the other marinas are independent operations with the exception of the Dalmacija and Borik marinas in Sukošan and Zadar and the Tribunj and Kremik marinas in Tribunj and Primošten, under single ownership.

The prices of daily and annual berths vary depending on the category of the marina, its location and the time of year. You can count on a one day stay for a vessel of 11 to 12 m length costing from 25 to 55 euros, while a one year berthing for a vessel of this type ranges from 2300 to 6000 euros. A one day berthing for a vessel 15 to 16 metres in length ranges from 50 to 75 euros a year, while a one year berthing for a yacht of that size would come to between 4000 and 8500 euros.

An alternative to entering a commercial marina can in places be a sports or municipal marina. Although they are, as a rule, taken up by their own boats, there are always free spots to be found for boats in transit. This option is available in Veruda in Pula, around Rijeka (the small port of "3. maj"), in Zadar (the Vitrenjak marina), at the Zenta and Špinut marinas in Split, which are in no way different from commercial marinas. Prices at these locations range from about half those in real marinas and up. And while many small sports and municipal harbours were built by volunteer labour and contributions from members, they too are, with the odd exception, of very high quality. If there is a difference in a fewer number of sanitary facilities, this is made up by the warm local atmosphere you can find there and often a larger availability of service stations than in classic marinas. The majority of berths at these small harbours are taken by club vessels, but they all have berths targeted to commercial use. Besides, many of the club vessels leave harbour in season so that a free spot can be found there even when seaborne traffic is at a peak.

During summer there are also berthing places in small harbours of sailing and fishing clubs in which, during summer, one can find a free space being hired out, so you would do well to look for a berth in Orsan in the Dubrovnik port Gruž, in Arbun in Makarska, in the small harbour Žurkovo in Rijeka or fishing club Delfin in the port Veruda in Pula. When you sail in it is necessary to report to the seamen in charge of club berths to see if there are any free places. Those who berth here will definitely save money. Here you will pay only thirty percent of what you would pay for a berth in a marina.

Many sailing enthusiasts find local small harbours, which have preserved their original ambiance, more charming than marinas. There are many such waterfronts along the Adriatic and the most popular ones are definitely in Cavtat, Gruž in Dubrovnik, Vela Luka on the island of Korčula, in the city of Hvar and Stari Grad on the island Hvar, in Vis and Komiža on the island of Vis, Trogir, Primošten, Šibenik, in Zlarin on the island of the same name, Sali on Dugi otok or to the north in Mali Lošinj on the island of Lošinj and in Istra in Rovinj, Vrsar, Poreč or Novigrad. Berthing in them is a real experience as along with boats of old seaman or hired boats, there are often super-luxurious yachts on which world ‘celebrities’ enjoying the still possible privacy in Croatia. Such waterfronts are usually equipped with everything you would need for a safe and comfortable stay. Nearly all have water and electricity connections, moorings and alongside them restaurants in which you can find fresh fish, cafes, open air markets, fish markets. It’s just a pity that they fill up really quickly. Here too of course you have to pay as well (according to the length in metre, for multi hulls usually double), but prices are somewhat lower than in marinas – usually between 2 and 4.5 Euros per metre length of the boat. In some places, even though we have to admit more rarely, in smaller island settlements you can still be pleasantly surprised with free berthing at the waterfront or pier.

Other than in marinas berths can also be found in numerous moorings which in recent years are built on the islands. The majority of these are set up in smaller island localities or well protected coves, like Kukljice on Ugljan or Omišlja on Krk. Such moorings are equipped with only part of the facilities classic marinas have. However, their charm lies in the ambiance they offer, a smaller number of boats berthed and of course lower prices associated with them.

Even in Croatia when sailing into a marina, the good old custom of announcing your arrival over channel 17 also applies. It is also necessary to announce your arrival in municipal small harbours. In this way you can find out if there are free berths and after your announcement a seaman will greet your boat at the gate.

Regardless of how well-equipped the marinas, municipal ports – small and large – are, there is not a sailor who during his or her sail would not want to spend a few solitary nights at anchor in one of the many charming coves. Opportunities for this abound in Croatia. We have already said that there are some 1500 bays on the Croatian Adriatic that offer anchorage, and of that about 200 that qualify as anchorages for twenty or more vessels. To facilitate and make anchoring safer, buoys have been anchored as moorings for yachts in many of these bays. As a rule, concessionaires run these anchorages and mooring to a buoy is payable. Notice to this effect is, as a rule, posted on shore, and at your request the person collecting payment for mooring must show you their authorisation to collect payment. The price of this kind of mooring as a rule comes to between one and one and a half euros per metre of ship's length. Concessionaires at these types of anchorages as a rule procure basic provisions for sailors and dispose of garbage from the boat.

However, regardless of the level of equipment and comfort in marinas, municipal
Croatian marinas have their own association which is part of the Croatian Association of Nautical Tourism. The majority of marinas also have their own web site.

CHARTER

Boat rentals with or without a skipper is one of the fastest-growing businesses in Croatia. The last ten years have seen the number of charter vessels increase from five hundred to about three thousand vessels, with most of the rental boats ranging in length from forty to fifty feet. The reasons driving this massive growth is certainly the suitability of the Croatian coast for sailing, in its beauty, and in the possibility that in one, two or three week trips in a rented boat every day be spent in enjoying a different landscape. Only companies registered in Croatia can operate charters in Croatia, and the ships they rent must fly the Croatian colours. There are more than 150 such companies. They are in Croatian, foreign or mixed ownership and for the large part own new and modern vessels. Among them are the Croatian subsidiaries of some of the best-known global charter companies. About eighty percent of the vessels available for charter are sailboats while the rest are made up of various kinds of motorised vessels, mostly motorised yachts. The employees of charter companies operating in Croatia are for the most part experienced sailors and skippers. A detailed list of all charter companies registered in Croatia can be found in the Torns in Kroatien, Sailing in Croatia, La Voile en Croatie and the Crociera nell Adriatico Croato published by More Magazine, the Croatian sailing and boat review, and most of these companies can be found on the Internet site of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (www.hgk.hr) or simply be entering the words "Croatia charter" or "Croatia sailing" in a web browser. In any case, always check to see of the company renting a boat to you is properly registered, this being most easily visible from the charter concession documentation that must be kept with the boat documentation, and take care to have all crew members properly entered into the Crew List form. In order to hire a boat in Croatia on which you would be the skipper, you must possess a sailor's certification of qualification issued in line with navigation regulations in your country of origin or authorisation from the Republic of Croatia (A, B, C). If there is a maritime UKV-RTF station (VHF) on the vessel, one of the crewmembers must possess the appropriate authorisation to operate the station.
Of course, you can sail in Croatia with a vessel hired out in another country. In that case you fall under regulations regulating the entry of vessels under foreign colours. Effectively, with the proper vignette a foreign charter vessel is free to sail Croatian waters under the condition that they do not change the crew during that time.

MOTORISED SAILBOATS

Other than navigating your own or chartered yacht, cruising on motorised sailboats is becoming increasingly popular. Throughout the centuries various types of sailboats were the main source of navigating and transport of people and goods on the Adriatic. With the onset of the steamships they did not disappear from use but instead adapted them by installing motors and combining sailing by motor and under sail. In this way their continued construction has continued till today. However, in the forty years or so, the majority of sailboats have reoriented themselves to the transport of excusioners and organisation of many day cruises. For this purpose they have been renovated, restored and equipped with contemporary navigational devices, while the onboard premises have been adapted for the needs of tourists. Today in Croatia there are more than 170 motorised sailboats that are between 15 and 45 metres in length. Together they offer more than 6100 beds. About two thirds of motorised sailboats organise mostly one day excursions while a third of them conduct multi day cruises. Seven day or two week stays on such sailboats are a special experience. The crew on these ships take their guests to a new island or coastal location every day, the days are spent bathing in the most beautiful coves, the ships chefs prepare original Dalmatian, Primorje or Istrian cuisine, which are washed down with a good wine so understandable why there are more and more people returning to their bracera (traditional sailing ship) or trabakul (wooden two-masted coater).

WEATHER FORECAST

The rule is that the person operating the ship must at least twice a day carefully monitor and analyse the weather forecast, the one for navigators. We can receive forecasts over the television and radio news, internet and mobile services and weather-faxes. However, most often it will be via the ships radio station.

The actual weather forecast of the State Hydrometeorological Institute or its Maritime Meteorological Service in Split, which has been around for fifty years, is constantly emitted to channels of coastal radio stations and port authorities. They are updated three times a day, at 5, 12 and 18 hr and they apply to the first twelve and second twelve hours counting from the time it is repeated. Marine coastal radio stations emit the weather forecast exactly at the determined UTC time. On the Adriatic both Croatian and Italian coastal radio stations can be heard.

Port authorities continuously emit weather reports and warnings for mariners on their VHF channels. The report is automatically repeated in four languages with a short interval between each cycle and they are updated four times a day.

The most complete weather forecast for mariners with a series of data, maps and satellite pictures today are the ones on the internet. The forecast of the State Hydrometeorological Institute may be viewed on the web page www.meteo.hr, and for those interested forecasts of the status and strength of the wind can go directly to a special detailed forecast on www.prognoza.hr/aladin_prognoza.html. This forecast is most often used by yachtsmen.

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

For pleasant and unhindered sailing sailors and charter companies need access to quality boat and yacht preparation for the sailing season and the safe knowledge that any breakdowns occurring during sailing can be quickly and professionally repaired. Croatia has made significant steps forward in precisely this segment of its offer. Numerous authorised boat service stations for motors, equipment and sailing tackle are spread along the coastline. Their service employees are constantly upgrading their qualifications in order to stay in pace with new technical developments. Several shipyards and overhaul shipyards are capable of carrying out any service work relating to the maintenance and overhaul of large and top line luxury yachts, the best known among them being the Punat Shipyard on the island of Krk, the Heli Shipyard in Pula, the NCP Overhaul Shipyard in Šibenik, the Betina Shipyard on the island of Murter and many others.