Considering that moorings and anchorages for vessels have recently become an important factor in nautical tourism, the selection of their locations is a complex and demanding process. This paper examines numerous criteria from different perspectives to determine the most favourable/optimal locations for nautical anchorages, meeting the conditions and recommendations of professionals from several domains, by applying the methods of multi-criteria analysis. The goal of solving the problem this way is to meet the expectations of future users, spatial planners, possible investors, and concessionaires interested in doing business in these areas, as well as entities that strive to preserve and protect marine and underwater animal life and the environment by preventing their degradation and pollution. However, since there are no precisely defined recommendations for the establishment of nautical anchorages, in the procedures for determining the locations of nautical anchorages, it is possible to use general criteria they must fulfil. The best locations for nautical anchorages may be found, and this research represents a transparent, repeatable, and well-documented approach for methodically solving the problem. This is demonstrated by a comparison of many methods of multi-criteria analysis, utilizing a variety of parameters. On the other side, this calls for proficiency in a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, geodesy, marine safety and transport, architecture, biology, ecology, mathematical programming, operational research, information technology, environmental protection, and others. The best locations for nautical anchorages should be chosen based on the size and number of vessels, available space, depth, distance from the coast, level of protection of the anchorage waters, and many other limiting factors, keeping in mind that the spots which simultaneously satisfy a greater number of significant criteria are preferable. Using multi-criteria analysis methods (AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) and TOPSIS (The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution)), evaluating and classifying criteria as well as assigning weight values to selected criteria, this paper investigates the possibility of obtaining the best locations from a group of possible ones. The most important factor when applying multi-criteria analysis methods refer to the following: vessel safety (navigation), hydrometeorological, spatial, economic, and environmental criteria. The main contribution of the paper displays in the proposal to optimize the decision-making process, when determining the optimal locations of nautical anchorages, in accordance with previously defined criteria.

The Port of Split is the largest Croatian passenger port and its access fairways, characterized by a very high likelihood of accidents, especially of collisions and groundings, the busiest in the Croatian part of the Adriatic. This paper analyzes the main access fairways to the Split City Port, as well as those leading to the Kaštela Bay and the North Port of Split. Small vessel maritime traffic is also analyzed, although it is neither continuous, nor follows any established main routes. The AIS vessel movement data served as the basic source of data for larger vessels, and arrival/departure reports of port authorities for other maritime traffic. Main access fairways, maritime traffic concentration and structure, as well as assessment of collision and grounding risk are defined in keeping with the obtained data.

The Port of Split is located in the central part of the eastern Adriatic and is the largest Croatian passenger port. The Port of Split consists of the North Port, for the reception of mainly cargo ships, and the City Port for the reception of passenger ships. Although the port is protected from the open part of the Adriatic by a number of islands, its specific spatial position as well as local hydro-meteorological factors, primarily wind, can significantly affect the safety of navigation, and ultimately close all traffic. The entrance to the City Port is facing to the south; accordingly, the effect of southerly winds and waves will be one of the primary factors influencing the safety of manoeuvring. Also, the wider area of Split is characterized by the strong local, approximately NE wind with sudden gusts (‘’Bura’’) which is especially dangerous for navigation. This paper analyses the effect of significant hydro-meteorological factors on the safety of manoeuvring at the approach and within the City Port of Split. The influence of wind, waves, sea current, tides and visibility will be analysed. Also, these factors will be classified in order of importance with respect to those parts of the port where they predominate as a threat to manoeuvring safety. The obtained results should serve as a basis for future defining of limiting working/manoeuvring conditions.

The increasing complexity of marine spatial management and the rapid growth of nautical tourism require the use of formal and transparent decision-making models. Identifying optimal locations for nautical anchorages is a multi-criteria decision problem (MCDP) in which navigation safety, spatial constraints, and environmental protection often conflict. This study presents an integrated framework combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods for the systematic evaluation and ranking of nautical anchorages. As a case study, 86 potential locations in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, were analysed based on 18 criteria encompassing hydrological, meteorological, and spatial factors, as well as risk factors relevant to navigation safety. The methodological approach applies six MCDM methods implemented in the R programming language: Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), ViseKriterijska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Rjesenje (VIKOR), Multi-Objective Optimisation on the Basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA), Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS), Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS), and Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS). To reduce methodological bias, a final Consensus rank was calculated to synthesise the results of all applied methods. The stability of the obtained ranking was examined through an analysis of rank agreement between methods, using a diagonal matrix of rank overlaps and the corresponding heatmap visualisation. The results indicate a high level of consistency among individual MCDM methods and strong stability of the final consensus ranking. The proposed model ranks locations from best to worst based on how well they meet the established criteria, while ensuring strict navigational safety and compliance with environmental constraints. These findings confirm that the integrated GIS–MCDM approach is a reliable, repeatable, and scientifically grounded tool for supporting spatial planning and concession allocation in the development of nautical infrastructure.