Drunk Tourists' Boat Sinks Near Hvar
Police determined there are no elements of a criminal offense of failure to provide assistance because no one was in danger of losing their life.
Police determined there are no elements of a criminal offense of failure to provide assistance because no one was in danger of losing their life.
The portal Morski.hr published a disturbing video showing a group on one boat, instead of rushing to help tourists whose vessel is sinking, watching the whole situation with laughter and mockery. The accident occurred on July 1, 2026 near the island of Jerolim near Hvar, and the case has now been reported in more detail by Dnevnik.hr and Jutarnji list.
According to the official response from the Split-Dalmatia Police Department, officers from the Harbor Master's Office and the Hvar Police Station were notified of the sinking of the boat at around 6:58 PM. After going to the scene, a joint patrol located the vessel at a depth of approximately two meters. All five passengers were already safe on the shore of the island of Jerolim. None of them sustained injuries, and no sea pollution was reported.
Further investigation at the scene revealed that the person operating the boat, a Spanish national, was under the influence of alcohol. The measured blood alcohol concentration was 1.37 g/kg, which is several times over the legal limit. The entire procedure was then taken over by the Harbor Master's Office.
In the published footage, laughter from people on another vessel is clearly audible. One of them taunts the tourists struggling with the sea and the sinking boat, saying: "What happened?" and "Where did you get the boat and who did you pay for (the rental)?" Throughout the entire video, there is no visible attempt to help them or take them aboard to safety. After the boat completely disappeared beneath the surface, another mocking remark followed from their side: "You can't park here."
After the footage sparked strong reactions, journalists asked the police for clarification on whether there is any basis for suspicion of the criminal offense of failure to provide assistance in this case. The Split-Dalmatia Police Department responded that such elements were not found.
"Namely, Article 123 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Croatia clearly states that the criminal offense is committed by a person who fails to provide assistance in a life-threatening situation, and a review of the footage clearly shows that the individuals, while sailing near the shore, damaged the boat, which subsequently sank, and none of the participants were injured," their statement reads. They also noted that at the time of the intervention, they did not have information that the entire event was being recorded by third parties.
Although no one was harmed in this particular incident, the question remains how the entire situation would have been legally characterized if one of the intoxicated tourists had lost their life or sustained serious injuries while trying to climb onto the rocky shore. Seafarers interviewed by the portal Morski.hr agree that, regardless of the cause of the accident or who is at fault, providing assistance at sea is a fundamental duty, not a matter of personal choice.
