Croatia Terminates Shipowner’s Entire Board After Fatal Ferry Accident

After a tragic accident that killed three seafarers aboard the aging ferry Lastovo last year, the government of Croatia is taking an unheard-of accountability action: the Croatian maritime ministry absolved the crew of any fault and moved to expel the ferry operator’s CEO, along with the entire board of directors. 

On the afternoon of August 11, the 1969-built ferry Lastovo called at the terminal at Mali Losinj, an island off Croatia’s northern coastline. At about 1500 hours, the bow ramp suddenly collapsed on four crewmembers, killing two at the scene. One more later died at th…