Towing of motor yacht with immigrants started

After negotiations with the “MARIA DRINK” boat’s crew, of the unknown flag, the Coast Guard this morning received the consent of the crew for the yacht to be towed into Gruž Harbour.

During negotiations, the boat’s crew confirmed that they have enough food and water, and medications they were given improved health status of seven members of the boat’s crew.

Early this morning the Coast Guard aircraft PC-9 was sent in the area in the reconnaissance mission to determine the situation on board.

Patrol boat “Hrvatska Kostajnica” took the boat in tow, and since this patrol boat is not suitable for performing of tugboat tasks, tonight a rescue boat of the Coast Guard “Faust Vrančić” was sent to the area that will intercept them and take the sailboat and continue to tow it into Gruž Harbour.

At the state border of the Republic of Croatia, a ship of the Marine Police will provide the boat escort until entering the port of Gruž where immigrants will be submitted to the competent authorities of the Republic of Croatia.