Amid rough seas and a fierce storm off the Dalmatian coast, 29-year-old Marko Jurlina showed incredible calm and leadership during the rescue as he helped save dozens of lives — staying behind until every passenger was safely off the stricken catamaran.
Sudden Adriatic storm causes chaos along the coast
In recent days, Croatia has experienced scorching temperatures above 30°C. While people flocked to the beaches to enjoy the summer, violent maritime storms known as “neveras” arrived without warning — bringing powerful winds, lightning, and huge waves.
One such storm struck the Istrian peninsula on Tuesday evening. Trees were torn down, cars smashed, yachts ran aground, and several smaller vessels sank. Though the storm lasted only a few hours, it caused widespread damage.
Catamaran Melita struck by waves en route to Zadar
At sea, storms often linger longer. That was the case for the catamaran Melita, which was operating its regular route from Dugi Otok to Zadar on Tuesday night. Unlike large car ferries, the Melita only carries passengers, making it more vulnerable to rough seas during a storm.
The vessel encountered massive waves. One struck the hull with such force that it caused structural damage, and a second wave finished the job — the hull cracked, the boat lost control and began spinning in the water. Sea water rushed into the passenger cabin. The catamaran tilted to one side and began sinking. Visibility was poor, and heavy rain with wind obscured the coastline. In the distance, the lights of Zadar barely flickered through the storm.
Passengers rescued amid rough conditions
Despite the chaos, the crew led by young captain Marko Jurlina remained calm. They launched the evacuation raft and guided passengers to safety. There was no panic, and everyone put on their life vests. However, two Italian tourists, panicked by the listing vessel, jumped into the sea during the storm.
A rescue boat from the Harbour Master’s office responded quickly and retrieved the tourists from the water. The life raft was then towed to the ferry Jadran, which approached to provide shelter from the wind. In total, 38 passengers and 5 crew members were aboard.
Once everyone was safely evacuated, passengers began to ask, “Where is our captain?” Moments later, they spotted him — still aboard the sinking vessel during the storm, ensuring no one was left behind.
Heroism recognised by local authorities
“It ended well, but we were moments away from tragedy,” said Zadar County Prefect Josip Bilaver, who greeted the survivors at the port. “The situation was dire — people came off the boat barefoot, without clothes or any belongings. Waves were over three metres high, and it was pitch dark. It was only thanks to several key factors, including the crew’s calmness and fast reaction, that lives were saved from the storm.”
Captain Jurlina’s professionalism drew praise from both passengers and fellow mariners. “He trained with Tankerska Plovidba in Zadar,” one colleague noted. “Rescue drills and emergency abandonment procedures have become second nature to him.”
Calls for official recognition
Local authorities have already pledged to honour him. “We’ll nominate him for the county’s annual award — and every other honour we can,” Bilaver added. “This level of professionalism and composure during a fierce storm saved lives. That deserves recognition.”
The young hero has said little. He’s simply relieved everyone made it out alive — and has already returned to sea. Because, as any sailor knows: the sea may be beautiful, but it is never without danger. Still, even in the storm, sail we must.
More information on the storm here.