The boat has already returned to its base in Koper. They have not been informed yet of their possible participation in new missions.
The planned three-month mission of the Triglav patrol boat was later prolonged by five weeks. During that time they boarded 500 refugees from barely buoyant ships and boats, and helped save just as much people. The empty vessels have been destroyed, Commander Andrej Pečar said.
"In order to destroy a vessel it must be sunk. In nine cases the vessels used were wood fishing boats, while rubber boats are made for such travels," he explains.
The difficult part is to investigate who among the people aboard the vessels is the organizer of the illegal crossing. "It is very difficult to find that person, as they are not always even on the boat. Our records helped initiate a procedure against three of such smugglers at the Italian courts," he adds.
According to Colonel Klemen Medja the small size of Triglav proved to be an advantage, especially for reconnaissance patrol. Nurse Bojana Plošinjak was also among the 37-member crew. After returning to the windy Koper she remembered the most difficult experience. "The first rescue was the most difficult, when I was handed a baby girl of four months. One survives the rest. You see all kind of things on TV, but it is something else to see it with your own eyes."