RESCUE OPERATION SAVES BOATERS TRAPPED IN THE PROTECTED AREA OF THE SPECIAL ORNITHOLOGICAL RESERVE KUNTREP ON KRK ISLAND

On 31 July 2007 in the inaccessible area of the Ornithological Reserve Kuntrep (Glavine – Mala Luka) on the island of Krk, a rescue operation ended successfully with the rescue of boaters trapped for two days in Orgul Cove due to forceful bora wind.

Because of gale-force bora winds blowing in the Velebit Channel, 12 boaters remained trapped in Orgul Cove in the inaccessible area of the ornithological reserve on the island of Krk. The vessel of the Novi Vinodol Port Authority was unable to approach the cove due to strong winds.
Seeking shelther from the wind, the boaters had sailed into the cove in their small vessels and were unable to leave for two days. Also, one boater had suffered an ankle injury and was unable to walk.

As soon as the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service received a call, it sent its team, together with paramedics, a doctor and the supervisor from the Public Institution “Priroda” to the location. The supervisor contacted the sheep-farmer Dinko Dujmović who assisted them
in finding the easiest path across the almost impassable terrain to Orgul Cove.

Around 4 PM, the rescue team reached Orgul Cove and the doctor immediately provided medical attention to the injured boater. With the bora wind in decline, the Port Authority vessel was also able to make its way into the cove. The injured boater was taken ashore and then transferred
by inflatable boat to the Port Authority vessel, together with five other persons, mainly children, and taken to Novi Vinodolski. The members of the Mountain Rescue Service accompanied the remaining six persons on foot to Potovošće Cove near Vrbnik where their vehicles were located. They were
then taken over by the officers of the Novi Vinodolski Port Authorities and transported to Novi Vinodolski.