June the 18th, 2026 – One officer aboard the catamaran that hit a small sailboat has been arrested, but why has the actual captain not been detained following the tragic collision near Split?
The first officer of the passenger catamaran involved in the fatal collision near Split has been placed in custody, while questions remain over why the vessel’s captain has not also been investigated as a suspect.
The collision occurred in Splitska Vrata, the narrow and very busy channel between the islands of Šolta and Brač, when the passenger catamaran “Krilo Eclipse” collided with a sailing boat carrying eight Czech nationals. Four people on the sailboat were tragically killed in the accident.
Police detained the 33-year-old first officer of the catamaran on suspicion of committing a serious criminal offence against maritime traffic safety. Index reports that investigators suspect that safety regulations were breached and that necessary actions to avoid the collision were not taken. If convicted, he could face between three and 15 years in prison because the incident resulted in multiple deaths.
The investigation has raised questions about the role of the catamaran’s captain. According to statements from officials, the captain was not at the controls at the time of the crash. The first officer, whose duties include taking over command when required, was reportedly operating the vessel during the incident.
Authorities have not explained publicly why the captain has not been listed as a suspect. Legal experts and maritime observers note that responsibility in maritime accidents depends on the specific circumstances — including who was navigating, what orders were given, whether procedures were followed, and whether any failures occurred in supervision or command.
The catamaran was carrying 118 passengers and seven crew members at the time of the accident, while the sailboat had eight Czech citizens onboard. Four people from the sailboat were rescued, while four others died. The sunken vessel was later located at a depth of more than 50 metres.
The investigation into the causes of the collision is continuing, with authorities examining the actions of both vessels before impact and the chain of responsibility onboard the catamaran.
