Rijeka advances costly restoration of Tito's historic yacht Galeb

The City of Rijeka (Croatia) has launched a new public tender valued at more than €500,000, including VAT, to fund additional works on the former presidential yacht Galeb. The vessel, once used by Josip Broz Tito, suffered hull damage after colliding with a Turkish ship in February and must undergo dry‑dock repairs, hull inspections and certification by the Croatian Register of Shipping before it can operate as a museum.

The overall restoration programme has already absorbed between €15 million and €22 million, with repeated deadline extensions. City officials, including interim culture department head Renato Kostović, say the works are being consolidated to avoid duplicate costs, noting “Dobra je stvar što smo sve objedinili u jednom postupku javne nabave.” Public reaction is split: one resident called the spending “Isplati se u svakom slučaju…”, while another argued the money should fund two elder‑care homes. Museum preparations continue, with authentic furnishings and multimedia exhibits being installed. The new tender is expected to close in early August, with the aim of opening the Galeb museum by the end of the year.