Yesterday, the 20 m long motor yacht Cleo sank in Unije.
Yesterday afternoon at 3:42 p.m., the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Rijeka received an emergency call about the sinking of the motor yacht Cleo in the immediate vicinity of the port of Unije. Rescue vessels were dispatched to the location.
Motor yacht Cleo sailed under the Italian flag. The 20.20 m long beauty was built in 1988. She arrived at the port of Unije from the western side, between Cape Nart and the island of Školjič. The crew of the ship, in which was said to be the son of the owner of a small shipyard from Venice, sailed into the harbor and tied up at the pier. Even then, they themselves noticed that water was flowing into the vessel. According to the people who spoke to them, it was only a minor water leak at the motor shaft. Since a ship connecting the island to the mainland was coming to the port, they had to withdraw the vessel. They sailed out of the harbor and anchored not far from it. The yacht began to list and sank in less than half an hour. Eyewitnesses immediately arrived at the scene of the accident and helped with the rescue. Among the first were Slovenians who, among other things, are also members of the local volunteer fire brigade. They helped rescue them from the yacht and provided them with clothes because all their possessions remained on board. Fortunately, everyone survived the accident without injury.
The members of the volunteer association Unije immediately brought tampons and protective barriers to the site of the sinking. The yacht refueled in the port of Mali Lošinj, just before it sailed to the island of Unije. There were over 2,000 liters of diesel fuel on board. Fortunately, the firemen from the island received the necessary equipment just this year so that they could prevent the worst. It is estimated that 500 l of fuel leaked from the tanks, which represents a huge ecological disaster for the island and the port. Thanks to quick action, they managed to prevent the worst.
The vessel of the National Intervention Service of Civil Protection arrived at the site of the accident only today, which protected the site of the accident. They began by inspecting the vessel to assess the damage and prepare the vessel for raising to the surface.
The SECURITE safety message is broadcast via radio stations and informs seafarers about the danger in the area of the port of Unije, where there is increased shipping traffic in the summer months.
Foto in video: Marko Čurin
