Visit-Montenegro.com: The most beautiful ambassador

Tivat – Yesterday's ceremonial parade of the Navy of Armed Forces of Montenegro, navy band, majorettes, family members and friends of the crew with numerous citizens and tourists gathered at the city quay Pine gave the sailing boat “Jadran” a proper send-off for her 21st international cruise.

The Chief of the General Staff, Vice Admiral - Dragan Samardzic, the Minister of Defence - Boro Vucinic and the Mayor of Tivat – Dragan Kankaras wished the crew calm sea and favourable winds on their weeks-long journey.

- This is probably the most significant voyage of “Jadran” since it represents our initiative to unite all countries in the region by bringing together their cadets, non-commissioned officers and officers on this voyage and it reflects our readiness to establish good regional cooperation – Vice Admiral Samardzic said adding that “Jadran” is “our best, well-experienced and most beautiful ambassador.”

The ship is under the command of the Corvette Captain Predrag Skupic. “Jadran” set off on 26-day voyage, 2.200 nautical miles across the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmora and the Black Sea.

On 27th June, “Jadran” will sail in the Port of Istanbul where she will stay for three days. After this, the ship sets off on two-day cruise to the Port Constanta in Romania. Our sailing boat will be put out to sea heading for Piraeus on 5th July and she is expected to enter this port on 10th July. “Jadran” will make a two-day stop in the port of the capital of Greece and then hoist her sails and set course towards Tivat where she will arrive on 16th July. While heading for the home port, “Jadran” will make two short stops near Greek islands Corfu and Vido where the crew will place a wreath and pay respects to fallen soldiers in the World War I, buried in the Blue Tomb (Plava grobnica) and lay wreaths into the sea in honour of the dead Montenegrin volunteers in the WWI who were on a steamboat “Brindisi” sunk in the port San Giovanni di Medua in Albania.

Apart from 53-member crew of the ship “Jadran”, there are 5 high-ranking officers of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, 2 students of Faculty of Maritime Studies in Kotor, 3 students of Naval High School in Kotor and two students of Naval High School in Bar. Our sailing boat has multinational crew on this voyage. Beside members of the Navy of Montenegro, there are Navy members from Italy, Romania, Greece, Albania, Serbia and Slovenia. Thus, an idea of the Ministry of Defence to offer services of “Jadran” as “sailing classroom” to young naval officers from the neighboring countries became a reality.

By expressing his gratitude to the countries which sent their Navy members on this cruising, the Minister of Defence Boro Vucinic highlighted that the sailing boat “Jadran” is the most attractive movable property of Montenegro.

- People from regional countries together with members of our Navy and students will befriend in the following days of cruising. I believe that this will be a great and worthy experience and I hope that counties participants in the voyage will be a part of similar activities in the future. We want to make “Jadran” available to all countries in the region for trainings and development of maritime skills – remarked Vucinic adding that Montenegro fosters good relations with the neighboring countries which contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

- The ship “Jadran” is the champion of Montenegrin Navy and the most significant heritage of Tivat which spreads the glory of the former Navy of Boka worldwide. I wish you all a happy and successful voyage” – Dragan Kankaras, the Mayor of Tivat, said on behalf of all citizens from the Jadran’s home port.

By S.L.