A yacht once belonging to Yugoslavian dictator Marshal Tito is being transformed into a modern megayacht—and the owner is seeking additional investors for the project.
Christened Vis when she was launched in 1956 in what is now Croatia, the 58-meter (190-foot) vessel was designed to host Tito and other national and international dignitaries. As such, she was registered under the Yugoslavian navy. Tito used her alternately along with another official vessel, the 117-meter (384-foot) Galeb. Members of the British royal family and actors such as Richard Burton were also reportedly entertained onboard. The steel-hulled Vis, shown below in an undated photo, featured 32 staterooms, two saloons (one of which served officers), teak-laid decks, and diesel-electric propulsion.
According to Luka Raunić, a principal of 2pixel, the Croatia-based design firm involved in the refit, Vis was acquired from military officials in 2002. A few brokerage listings and other online articles reveal the investor to be Arsen Brajkovic, a Croatian businessman who wanted to preserve the yacht’s maritime heritage. Vis had apparently not been used in some time, and there were insufficient government funds to maintain her or transform her into museum.
The goal of the refit is to preserve much of the structure and keep some of the original styling intact. An inspection reportedly shows the hull to be in good shape. Brajkovic is weighing options to transform Vis into a strictly private yacht or to reconstruct her for charter, in compliance with SOLAS. The final decision will be made when additional investors are found.
Either way, Vis has been designed to accommodate 12 guests. The staterooms are being referred to more as luxury apartments, with one accommodating two adults and two children. Understandably, the owner’s suite will be the most luxurious, occupying 60 square meters (about 646 feet) and situated forward on the upper deck. Everyone will have use of a 12-seat theater, a gym, and a spa with massage areas and a sauna. Twelve crewmembers will be housed on the lower deck, with the captain’s and first officer’s staterooms located on the bridge deck. The 8.75-meter (nearly 29-foot) beam should make for comfortable spaces.
Brajkovic and the project-management and design team have decided to power her with diesel-electric propulsion yet again. The reasoning comes down to a few things, such as the proven reliability in commercial and military applications, less vibration and sound transference, better fuel economy, and smaller dimensions. The existing engines served her well but needed replacing. The choice: six gensets and two electric motors with permanent magnets. Advantages include efficiency, a smaller footprint, reliability, and lower maintenance. Once Vis is completed, the anticipated top speed will be 17 knots, with cruise speed at 15 knots.
Something else that Brajkovic and the assembled team believe will inspire interest is the relationship to the former Princess Tanya. Now known as Lady K II, she was apparently built to resemble Vis when Austin & Pickersgill created her in the early 1960s.
Elvis Krivokuća
First of all please change the dictator to the president of Yugoslavia , he is as not a dictator, he was an amazing person, he left Yugoslavia rich , his family did not steal the wealth, everything was left to the people of Yugoslavia, certain politicians who were nothing during his leadership used the opportunity when he died to destroy Yugoslavia and heritage for personal financial benefits… thank you