No abstract

The Port of Split is the largest Croatian passenger port and its access fairways, characterized by a very high likelihood of accidents, especially of collisions and groundings, the busiest in the Croatian part of the Adriatic. This paper analyzes the main access fairways to the Split City Port, as well as those leading to the Kaštela Bay and the North Port of Split. Small vessel maritime traffic is also analyzed, although it is neither continuous, nor follows any established main routes. The AIS vessel movement data served as the basic source of data for larger vessels, and arrival/departure reports of port authorities for other maritime traffic. Main access fairways, maritime traffic concentration and structure, as well as assessment of collision and grounding risk are defined in keeping with the obtained data.

The Port of Split is located in the central part of the eastern Adriatic and is the largest Croatian passenger port. The Port of Split consists of the North Port, for the reception of mainly cargo ships, and the City Port for the reception of passenger ships. Although the port is protected from the open part of the Adriatic by a number of islands, its specific spatial position as well as local hydro-meteorological factors, primarily wind, can significantly affect the safety of navigation, and ultimately close all traffic. The entrance to the City Port is facing to the south; accordingly, the effect of southerly winds and waves will be one of the primary factors influencing the safety of manoeuvring. Also, the wider area of Split is characterized by the strong local, approximately NE wind with sudden gusts (‘’Bura’’) which is especially dangerous for navigation. This paper analyses the effect of significant hydro-meteorological factors on the safety of manoeuvring at the approach and within the City Port of Split. The influence of wind, waves, sea current, tides and visibility will be analysed. Also, these factors will be classified in order of importance with respect to those parts of the port where they predominate as a threat to manoeuvring safety. The obtained results should serve as a basis for future defining of limiting working/manoeuvring conditions.

By applying the research method of comparative analysis, this paper compares provisions of the Ordinance on Safety of Maritime Transport in Internal Waters and Territorial Sea of the Republic of Croatia and on the Manner and Conditions of Vessel Traffic Management and Information, inclusive of Collision Avoidance Rules given in its second part, with Collision Avoidance Rules 1996. The authors critically discuss the disparities between the Rules and the Ordinance. Most of the recent rules represent essential elements of navigational safety and any discrepancies in that area are unacceptable. The consistency in prescribing all issues in the area of avoidance of collision at sea is seen in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), as the basic and comprehensive rules for avoiding collision at sea. COLREGs are an example of a thorough analysis of all rules and generally of all subjects the rules apply to. The aim of this comparative analysis is a thorough examination of inconsistencies and disparities of specific articles, i.e. the omission of essential and important parts. The evaluation and awareness of the need to observe international rules and to incorporate them into existing legal and legislative acts of the Republic of Croatia without any discrepancies are the foundation and essence of law.