Built in 1884 in Rovinj, as a traditional wooden cargo ship. Over the decades, it sailed the northern Adriatic under different flags - first Italian, later Yugoslav - transporting goods between coastal town and served as an essential part of Adriatic life.
Today, the boat Svetko sails on in a new role: carefully restored, full of character, and ready to welcome guests from around the world.
Today, the ship offers comfortable seating with built-in tables and wooden benches, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the coastal views throughout the cruise.
When Captain Bato bought the ship in 1986, Svetko was still carrying almost two tons of sand in the hull - a reminder of her working past, and one of the first things that had to be cleared before restoration could begin.
1884
Ship built in Rovinj as a traditional wooden Adriatic vessel.
In 1964, exactly one hundred years after its construction, the ship underwent a major refurbishment in Pula, extending its life at sea.
1964
1986
A new chapter began in the 1980s, when Captain Bato took over the vessel and gradually transformed it from a working cargo ship into a passenger boat.
In 1991, the ship began sailing under the Slovenian flag, becoming part of the maritime life of the Slovenian coast.
1991
2001
In 2001, Svetko received its iconic »pirate-ship« style appearance, with two decks - an upper sunny deck and a shaded lower deck. During the renovation, the vessel was equipped with new wooden structures, a bridge on the upper deck, its recognizable pirate-style bow with a slightly raised bowsprit, and safety nett.
Major hull restoration ensures the long-term structural integrity of the wooden ship.
2017
2025
The business is taken over by the next generation, with Bato’s son Tadej continuing the family tradition.
Engine room modernization and renewal of the sun deck and kitchen to further improve the onboard experience.
2026
Captain Bato came to Slovenia as a 19-year-old and began his professional path in hospitality as a waiter at the newly opened five-star Grand Hotel Bernardin.
Driven by his love for the sea, he soon took his first independent step - operating tourist transfers with a small boat for 16 passengers. What started as a modest idea gradually grew into something much bigger.
In 1986, he purchased the wooden ship Svetko and, over the years, transformed it into a distinctive passenger vessel. In doing so, he helped shape the early tourism story of Portorož, at a time when boat tours were still far from standard.
Svetko has always been more than a business. It is a project shaped by dedication, vision, and a genuine love for the sea - a legacy that continues today with his son, Tadej.
Motor passenger boat
8 nm
Wood (oak)
Slovenia
Famos 200 KS Diesel
21m
5.2m
2m
76 pax
75 m2 / 2 decs
Piran / PI-201
Captain and sailor
Founder & Captain
CEO & Captain
Sailor
Sailor
Master Engineer
