Police Rescue Teen Drifting at Sea

Slovenian police successfully rescued a 13-year-old boy who was drifting out to sea near Piran.

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Among the most common mistakes made by swimmers are overestimating their own swimming abilities and physical fitness, swimming long distances without accompaniment, jumping into murky, shallow, or unknown water, and swimming under the influence of alcohol.

The incident occurred yesterday evening when the boy, swimming with an adult male outside Fornače, failed to return to shore. The adult lost sight of the child due to the sun's glare on the water's surface and immediately contacted the police after the boy did not reappear.

Officers from the maritime police unit initiated an intensive search, alerting nearby vessels. The boy was located approximately one kilometer offshore, being carried by the current towards Savudrija. He was brought back to Piran and received a medical examination.

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They also called for special caution with children, as they are often unaware of the dangers, so adults must not leave them without direct and continuous supervision, even in shallow water, on the shore, or near a home pool.

Following the rescue, the Koper Police Administration issued a statement reminding the public of common swimming mistakes. These include overestimating one's abilities, swimming long distances alone, diving into unclear or unknown waters, and swimming under the influence of alcohol. They urged particular caution with children, emphasizing that adults must provide constant supervision, even in shallow water or near pools.

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Inflatable mattresses, rings, and other swimming aids are not safety equipment and cannot replace adult supervision or adequate swimming skills.