The marine police are still carrying out the same tasks as before the arbitration ruling. Since June 29, they have recorded 50 incursions by Croatian fishermen into waters controlled by the Slovenian police. As a result, some have wondered whether the marine police should be better equipped. Police officers have warned about understaffing and outdated craft.

Officially, the marine police force has six boats, but only four of them are in service. The largest and the biggest craft, P-111, is on the verge of being withdrawn, explained commander Mauro Rihter: "We also have a smaller craft, P-66, two new rubber boats, which we acquired last year, and a small rubber dinghy without a cabin, as well as P-86, which has been withdrawn because of its poor condition."

The replacement of boats will depend on EU funds

Even before the arbitration ruling, Rihter told us that the police will need new boats: "I would like to have two boats replaced, but this depends on the availability of European funds. If we had another 15-meter craft, the Slovenian police forced would be taken care of, provided that the fleet was being updated." However, boats are manned by crews that need to be replaced after 12 hours at sea. The staff levels could therefore use a boost as well: "There are 52 employees in total. The marine police force has been assigned 72 employees, which has now been reduced to 68. We are 16 people short, but we are still one of the better equipped units within the Koper Police Department.

Rihter says that despite the problems, the police are at sea 24 hours a day.

Tjaša Škamperle, Radio Koper
Translated by J. B.