Descrizione
AdriaSAR - SAR Adriatic Connect: Enhancing Cross-Border Search and Rescue Coordination through Digital Innovation
5 - Integrated governance for stronger cooperation
SO 5.1 - Better cooperation for governance
Information
- Start date: 01/02/2026
- End date: 31/07/2027
- Total budget: 293.840,00
- Partnership: IT - 2 / HR - 2
- Project typology: Small Scale project
- Partners: Martano Municipality; Development agency of Ston – RAST; National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of Lecce (CNA Lecce); Ston Municipality
Project specific objectives
The AdriaSAR project aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border SAR operations in the Adriatic Sea by addressing legal and administrative obstacles and implementing a digital platform for real-time coordination. By project end, it will achieve a 20% reduction in coordination delays, improving response times and saving lives. The project fosters harmonized procedures and stronger collaboration between Italian and Croatian SAR authorities, ensuring sustained maritime safety improvements in Puglia and Dubrovačko-neretvanska.
Project main outputs
The project will deliver: a harmonized SAR framework aligning Italian and Croatian protocols, benefiting eight SAR authorities (four per country) by enabling seamless coordination; a digital platform for real-time data sharing, vessel tracking, and communication, used by SAR authorities, SMEs (e.g., fishing and tourism operators), and local communities; training materials and workshops for 50 SAR personnel to ensure platform proficiency; and awareness campaigns engaging 200 young people (aged 13-30) to promote maritime safety. These outputs directly benefit SAR authorities, maritime stakeholders, and coastal communities in the programme area. All project outputs are developed as public goods with open access.
About
High volumes of commercial shipping, fishing, and tourism make the Adriatic a high-stakes environment for maritime safety. However, differing national protocols and limited real-time data sharing often lead to coordination delays during Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. AdriaSAR addresses these legal and administrative barriers to ensure that when emergencies occur, cross-border responses are seamless, rapid, and effective.
The project's core innovation is a digital platform tailored for real-time SAR coordination. This tool integrates a shared database of rescue assets, vessel tracking, and communication tools, directly addressing the interoperability gaps between Italian and Croatian frameworks. To ensure these tools are used effectively, the project delivers a harmonised SAR framework, comprehensive training for personnel, and awareness campaigns targeting young people to promote a culture of maritime safety.
By conducting joint pilot exercises in both Italian and Croatian waters, AdriaSAR validates its digital solutions in real-world scenarios. This collaborative approach is essential because maritime emergencies do not respect national boundaries. The result is a 20% reduction in coordination delays, thereby strengthening maritime safety governance and saving lives across the Puglia and Dubrovačko-neretvanska regions.