Happiness was bursting through in Kaštel Gomilica, where the ‘Flota mira – Mirno more’ (‘Sailing Fleet – Peaceful Sea’) was taking place, the world’s largest sailing project for children and young people from socially vulnerable groups, children with developmental disabilities, young people with disabilities, children without adequate parental care, and young people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
The quays, decks, and pontoes were resonating with a cacophony of sounds, laughter, and conversations in every possible language, including sign language. At one point, over a thousand children and young people were present. Among the participants were war orphans, children with a background of migration, and people with physical, social, or psychological difficulties, with the fleet taking place from 19 to 26 September.
The Institute for Education ‘Slava Raškaj’ was participating in the ‘Flota mira’ for the first time. Three beneficiaries came – 31-year-old Josip Rajčić, 42-year-old Gorjana Delin, and 26-year-old Antonio Vukušić – accompanied by educator Ana Kovač Županović and nurse Ivana Mišerde. The beneficiaries sailed on yachts, drew ships, and learned about boat equipment, while the group of adult users currently numbers around 50 members, while the institution serves over 400 users.
Volunteers dedicate their free time to children and young people every September, when the fleet sets sail and ‘anchors’ in the marina, where they hold workshops, panels, and social gatherings. Thus, Maria and Alexander Eichwalder, an ophthalmologist from Kaštel Gomilica and a trauma doctor living in Klagenfurt, spent the past week as skippers. They took annual leave to come from Austria and volunteer for the ‘Flota mira – Mirno more’ (‘Sailing Fleet – Peaceful Sea’).
The project has been running for 30 years, with Marina Kaštel hosting the international fleet since 2013 and serving as the central part of the programme on land. Following the sailing, there are numerous workshops, gatherings, and concerts. The captain and owner of the marina in Kaštel Gomilica, Joško Berket, highlighted that there are children and young people from over 30 nationalities participating in the week-long voyage, with a guest from Austria, Michael Fuchs, from the ‘Mirno more’ (‘Peaceful Sea’) Association.
Alongside the Deputy Mayor of Kaštel, Ante Budimir, those present were greeted by Nada Bilić on behalf of the Kaštel Tourist Board, representative of the Split-Dalmatia County, Tomislav Vidić, as well as County Prefect Božan Boban and Deputy Prefect Stjepan Čogelja. Speaking on behalf of AC d.d. was Ante Bačić, director of the marina in Trog, while Zrinka Svoboda-Sablić from OTP Bank was also present.
