On the afternoon of November 21, the 36.5 meter long, 363 gt catamaran passenger ferry Silba (IMO: 8843927) ran ashore in the Adriatic Sea at Božava, Croatia. The Silba was attempting to berth at Božava when it suffered a technical fault. The vessel drifted until it ran aground on the breakwater. Locals provided a ramp to allow passengers to disembark. No reports of injuries or pollutoin released. Later, the crew was able to move the Silba off the breakwater and moored at Božava where it would be inspected for seaworthiness.
On the evening of November 15, the 38 meter long, 147 dwt catamaran passenger ferry Princ Zadra (IMO: 8822363) ran aground in the Adriatic Sea off the island of Premuda, Croatia. The Princ Zadra, loaded with 70 passengers, was running its route from Zadar and the offshore islands of Premuda, Silba and Olib when it ran up onto rocks off Premuda. The vessel requested assistance as the catamaran was hard aground at the bow.
Authorities from Zadar arrived on scene and found all 70 passengers were uninjured and began evacuation. Passengers were transferred to private boats and the passenger ship Vladimir Nazor which had been diverted to the area to assist in the evacuation. No reports of injuries to crew or passengers.
The following day the Princ Zadra was pushed by strong winds and slipped off the rocks. With extensive hull damage the ferry quickly flooded and sank by the stern. The vessel now rests under 50 meters of water. There has been no reports of pollution so far. Reports do state authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On May 24, the 71 meter long, 200 dwt high-speed ro-ro passenger ferry Isola Di Capraia ran aground in the Adriatic Sea at the harbor of San Nicola, Tremiti Islands, Italy. The ferry had sailed from Termoli with 27 passengers. As the Isola Di Capraia attempted to enter the harbor at San Nicola, it lost control. The crew drop both anchors, but the ferry continued forward until it ran aground on the outer breakwater. The ferry pulled itself free a short time later and proceeded to its berth. Divers inspected the hull and found minor damage to the bow. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The crew made repairs and the Isola Di Capraia was able to proceed back to Termoli. Reports state the ferry had suffered a mechanical breakdown resulting in the grounding.
