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wharf in the southern part of the harbour. Apart
from Jadranovo we can also use the one-time car-
ferry port of rišnjevo as a shelter; here we will
come upon a landing adapted for the car ferry.
Such quays are never very appropriate for smaller
ships, but in the event of need we can get by
somehow.
On the northern end of the channel lies the island
of Sv. Marko (St Mark), which served the builders
who made the bridge linking Krk with the
mainland as a prop. We have to agree that this is
a sorry fate for an island.
Sailing under this enormous structure will
always stick particularly vividly in sailors'
memories. The height of the bridge is high
enough in middle for all ships, and not even
those with the highest masts need have the
slightest fear of passing underneath its span.
Here we might be surprised by the occasional
plane, because Rijeka Airport is right next to the
bridge.
On the edge of this channel, on Oštro Point, we
catch sight of Kraljevica, a well-known shipyard
today. Entrance into Kraljevica port is somewhere
between this point and Fortica Point, which is
easily recognisable because of the walls of the
great fortifications it takes its name from.
Of course, our impatient look at the chart will tell
us that the way to Opatija is now free, course 290.
Twelve more miles. But if we have a little more
time, one should not miss Bakar Bay. This is a
really old sailing centre that one ought to do the
honour of seeing. Thousands of sailors acquired
their basic knowledge at the naval college here,
learning about navigation, and engines, all
essential for sailing, later showing what they
knew on the seas and oceans of the world.
The city of Bakar is located at the northwestern
part of the bay. Over against it is the little place
called Bakarac. It is located at the jaws of a
canyon from which the bora blows with quite
unbelievable power, but only as far as about the
middle of the bay. There is nowhere to tie up in
the town. Its feature is its two or three tuna-
spotting towers. Fishermen once squatted on top
of these weird erections, waiting for the moment
when a big enough shoal should swim into the
head of the bay. When this happened, the
fishermen on the look-outs would give the word
to those waiting below, who would raise the net
on the seabed up to the surface, thus cutting off
the bay. The captive tunas had no way out.
Bakar itself has a nicely laid-out port, as befits a
famed nautical centre. But alas, things around
Bakar are not geared up to the sea. The many
industrial facilities quite spoil the look of this
marvellous bay. But we sailed into Bakar only to
recall its maritime tradition, wanting it to train
still more seafarers.
On the way out of Bakar Bay course 290. Opatija!
È
Bakar