Catamaran Ferry Princ Zadra Sinks After Running Aground Near Croatia’s Premuda Island
On the evening of November 15, a 38-meter-long passenger ferry named Princ Zadra ran aground in the Adriatic Sea. The ferry, which is a catamaran measuring 147 deadweight tons (dwt), was carrying 70 passengers when the incident occurred. The ferry was traveling from the coastal city of Zadar to several nearby islands, including Premuda, Silba, and Olib.
As the ferry approached Premuda Island, it accidentally hit rocks, getting stuck with the front (or bow) of the vessel firmly aground. The crew immediately called for help, as they could not move the ferry off the rocks.
Rescue Efforts Begin
Shortly after the call for assistance, authorities from Zadar quickly arrived at the scene to help. Thankfully, none of the 70 passengers on board were injured during the accident. Rescue teams started to evacuate the passengers right away. They used smaller private boats, as well as a passenger ship named Vladimir Nazor, which was diverted from its regular route to assist in the evacuation efforts.
The evacuation was completed smoothly, and no injuries were reported among the crew or passengers.
Ferry Sinks the Next Day
The situation, however, took a turn for the worse the following day. Strong winds pushed the Princ Zadra off the rocks, and it began to sink rapidly due to severe damage to the hull. The damaged ferry filled with water and eventually sank by the rear (or stern) into the sea. It now rests 50 meters underwater near Premuda Island.
No Pollution Detected
So far, there have been no reports of any pollution or oil spills from the sunken vessel. Authorities have launched a full investigation to understand how the accident happened and why the ferry ended up on the rocks. They aim to find out if any safety measures were overlooked or if the weather played a larger role in the incident.
What Happens Next?
As the investigation continues, experts will likely inspect the sunken Princ Zadra to gather evidence. The incident highlights the risks of navigating in shallow waters around islands, especially during challenging weather conditions.
For now, the authorities are monitoring the area closely to ensure that the ferry’s sinking does not harm the local marine environment.
