Croatian Maritime Rules Revamp: What it Means for Your Large-Yacht Programme

The waters of beautiful Croatia have recently become the theatre of significant changes in maritime law. Following the enforcement of the new regulation ‘Pravilnik o sigurnosti pomorske plovidbe (NN 52/2025)’ on March 29, 2025, navigational safety in Croatia’s seas is entering a new era. Now completely reset, large-yacht programs must adapt to two key rules for coastal operations: defining an uncompromising 500-meter operating radius for tenders, and enforcing stricter speed and distance rules near bathing areas.

The primary implication is an emphasis on tethered exploration. Tenders, which are the small boats carried by and registered as part of the yacht’s equipment, must now stay within a 500-meter radius of their mother ship. This keeps them close unless they are engaged in a direct point-to-point shuttle, such as moving to the nearest safe anchorage, without diverting for sightseeing or toy-towing along the way.

Simultaneously, speed and distance rules have been invigorated, especially near coastal zones dedicated to swimming. Specifics vary, set by local officials issuing a Harbor Notice for each bay or port. It outlines the speed limits, bathing area boundaries, traffic corridors, and any special considerations. Therefore, enforcement is not based on general ‘knot rules’, but on specific directives in each current Harbor Notice.

This significant shift in maritime rules requires yachts to plan with the ‘500-meter bubble’ mind, with pre-marked anchorages based on proximity and safety conditions rather than mere convenience. It means maintaining rigorous documentation, adjusting guest expectations, revising contracts, and integrating regulations seamlessly into the guest experience.

For marina managers, mirroring these guidelines in guest materials is crucial. By ensuring that bathing-area boundaries, speed rules, and tender points are clearly displayed in multiple languages, marinas can play their part in encouraging maritime safety and compliance.

While the revised navigation safety rules may take some getting used to, they ultimately aim to ensure a more systematic, safer, and smoother sailing experience along Croatia’s idyllic coastlines. Navigating the changes may initially lead to some ruffled sails, but the destination – a safer maritime domain – is undoubtedly worth the journey.