HARBOUR MASTER'S OFFICE URGES TOURISTS TO RESPECT REGULATIONS

( Editorial: --> 0088 ) PULA, July 27 (Hina) - The Pula harbour master's office has issued a warning to holidaymakers to respect maritime regulations on shore distances, following separate accidents in the Istria County in which two Slovenian tourists were badly injured. A statement from the office said the first accident occurred on Sunday at about 1.30pm near the Valkanela motor camp. Italian citizen Stefano N., aged 34 from Trieste, was operating a motorised rubber boat about 80m from the shore, when he crashed into Slovenian citizen Andreja P., from Ljubljana, who was diving without signs and not in an authorised place for diving. The 34-year-old Slovene received heavy wounds to the body as a result of the accident. The second accident occurred on Monday at about 6.45am outside the enclosed swimming area of the Zelena Laguna motor camp in Porec. Slovenian citizen M.I. was run over by an, up to now, unknown speedboat. He too received heavy body wounds. Given the more frequent incidence of maritime accidents in the north-western Croatian coastal county, the Pula harbour master's office warned swimmers to respect maritime regulations, in which people should not swim more than 100 metres from the shore of natural beaches. People running all types of watercraft have also been warned that motorised boats have to be at least 50m away from the shore of fenced-in swimming areas, and at least 150m away from the shore of natural beaches. Speedboats, water scooters and other fast craft should be at least 250m away from the shore. (Hina) mbr jn 271503 MET jul 98