Splitska vrata-Maritime Traffic and Accidents

This paper analyze geographical position, historic and traffic importance and problems related to safety of navigation through the Splitska vrata. The Splitska vrata (the Strait of Split) is narrow passage between the island of Brac and island of Solta and allows the shortest ship route from the Port of Split to the open sea. Through the Splitska vrata passing many merchant and passenger vessels, on routes that are connecting Port of Split with the islands of the Central Adriatic and with open sea of the Adriatic. Besides large ships, there is intense traffic of small boats and yachts, especially in summer season. Because of that, navigation through the Splitska vrata requires extraordinary precautions and adherence to safety rules of navigation, which is often not the case. The number and characteristics of maritime accidents confirms that violations of navigation rules and recommendations is very frequent, also indicate the need for additional measures regarding marking of waterways and regulation of navigation through the Splitska vrata.