Stormy Sirocco in the Adriatic: Skipper of a Sailboat Missing Near Šolta
Adverse weather conditions in the Adriatic hampered the search for a skipper who fell overboard. Boats and helicopters were deployed in the operation.
Adverse weather conditions in the Adriatic hampered the search for a skipper who fell overboard. Boats and helicopters were deployed in the operation.
On Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Adriatic experienced extremely adverse weather conditions caused by a stormy sirocco, and it was under these circumstances that the disappearance of a sailboat skipper near the island of Šolta was reported. The accident was reported to the National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre at Sea in Rijeka, known as MRCC Rijeka, at 9:10 AM.
According to information published by the portal 24sata, the sailboat skipper fell and disappeared into the sea off Šolta. Given that extremely unfavorable weather conditions prevailed in the area of the disappearance at the time of the report, all available units, including boats and helicopters, were engaged in the search and rescue operation. The sirocco is a wind that blows from the southeast, bringing moisture and precipitation, and can generate high waves, making navigation extremely challenging and dangerous, especially for smaller vessels.
The sirocco is one of the most dangerous winds in the Adriatic Sea, especially when it reaches storm force. Unlike the bora, which is cold and dry, the sirocco is a warm, humid wind that can last for days, and the waves it creates can be high and long-period, making them particularly hazardous for smaller boats and sailboats. Mariners and anyone planning to go to sea are advised to check current weather forecasts and warnings from the relevant authorities before every departure. Specific wind speed and wave height values for this episode of sirocco have not been published in the available sources.
On the same day, the stormy sirocco was not the only calamity to hit the Adriatic area. In Mali Lošinj, on state road DC 100, a malfunction of the drive mechanism of the Privlaka bridge occurred during its morning opening. According to a statement from Hrvatske ceste (Croatian Roads), the duty officer tried to close the bridge using the backup mechanism, but this was not possible, so all emergency services were immediately informed. Firefighters from the Fire Department of the City of Mali Lošinj, along with electrical and mechanical experts, arrived to intervene, and traffic was restored at 11:17 AM. Until the fault is repaired, navigation for boats will not be possible.
The disappearance of the skipper near Šolta once again highlights the importance of adhering to maritime safety protocols, especially in stormy sirocco conditions. All mariners are advised not to set sail without checking the current weather warnings from DHMZ (State Hydrometeorological Institute) and MRCC, to always wear life jackets, and to inform someone onshore of their planned route. In an emergency, MRCC Rijeka is available on VHF channel 16, the international distress and safety channel at sea.
The search for the missing skipper was ongoing at the time the available information was published, and the relevant authorities continued to monitor the situation. The extremely adverse weather conditions in the Adriatic underscore the importance of cautious and responsible behavior by all participants in nautical tourism, which peaks in July.
