ABSTRACT
This paper analyzes maritime traffic in the central part of the Adriatic Sea as well as risk of collisions and groundings on the main sailing routes passing through this area. For the purpose of this study the main sailing routes will be those that pass in the vicinity of the island Palagruža, i.e. through the area bounded from north by line that connect islands Sušac and Jabuka and from the South by line connecting island Pianosa and cape Gargano. Although this part of Adriatic is almost completely open sea, large concentration of ship traffic cause increased probability of maritime accidents, especially collisions. Two main traffic flows, northwest and southeast, are concentrated in two narrow paths, mainly safely separated due to traffic separation schemes in vicinity. But these main traffic flows overlap with routes of other vessels; fishing vessels, yachts, transversal traffic, etc. accordingly causing increased probability of accident. Calculation of probability of collisions and groundings, in this paper, will be based on AIS traffic data and IWRAP software. Accordingly, some recommendations how to reduce risk of accidents will be given.
