Austrian skipper missing off Croatia's Šolta island

Austrian skipper Šolta search operation Pilatus aircraft high winds

A 46‑year‑old Austrian skipper fell overboard from a catamaran near the island of Šolta on 26 July 2026 at about 09:10 local time, while checking a rope tangled around the propeller. Strong wind and high waves pushed him away, and he was not seen after a few minutes. The six other Austrian crew members were unharmed and a replacement skipper was placed on board to take the vessel to safety.

Croatian authorities launched a large search involving three rescue boats from the Split Port Authority, three vessels of the Maritime Police, customs ships, a Pilatus aircraft, a helicopter and a drone. The operation has been hampered by worsening weather, and the search remains ongoing with no result yet.

Entities

46‑year‑old Austrian skipper · Austrian skipper (46) · Austrian skipper (unnamed) · Croatian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Rijeka · Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure · Island of Šolta · Island Šolta · Ivan Paušić · Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Rijeka · Pilatus aircraft · Port Authority of Split · Split Port Authority

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 18 SOURCES] The search remains ongoing with no result yet. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +10 more
[● 15 SOURCES] The skipper disappeared and was not seen after a few minutes. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +7 more
[● 15 SOURCES] Six other Austrian crew members were unharmed and rescued. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +7 more
[● 17 SOURCES] The search involved three rescue boats from the Split Port Authority, three vessels of the Maritime Police, customs ships, a Pilatus aircraft and a helicopter. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +8 more
[● 16 SOURCES] A 46‑year‑old Austrian skipper fell overboard from a catamaran near the island of Šolta on 26 July 2026. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +8 more
[● 15 SOURCES] The incident occurred at about 09:10 local time, roughly six nautical miles south of Šolta. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +7 more
[● 15 SOURCES] Strong wind and high waves contributed to the accident and are hampering the search. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +7 more
[● 15 SOURCES] A replacement skipper was placed on board the vessel. prigorski.hr · acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.lokalec.si · www.croatiaweek.com · +7 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Weather forecasts predict stronger wind and rain, further complicating the rescue. prigorski.hr · kroativ.at · www.kosmo.at
[● 3 SOURCES] The skipper fell while checking a rope tangled around the propeller. prigorski.hr · kroativ.at · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Strong wind and high waves contributed to the accident and hampered the search. acnews.hu · kroativ.at · www.kosmo.at
[● 4 SOURCES] The search involves three rescue boats from the Split Port Authority, three from the maritime police, customs vessels, a Pilatus aircraft, a helicopter and a drone. prigorski.hr · kroativ.at · www.dalmacijanews.hr · www.dalmacijadanas.hr