This is the moment a Turkish cargo ship slams into former Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito’s presidential yacht the Galeb that has hosted famous people from Queen Elizabeth II to Sophia Loren and Orson Welles as it attempted to sail out of port.
The collision happened in the port of Rijeka, a city in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, on 13th February.
Dramatic footage shows the cargo ship Deniz Akay ploughing into the side of the historic vessel as it manoeuvred to leave the harbour. Galeb, which was moored by the Rijeka breakwater, appears to be forced and pinned against the structure during the impact.
According to local reports, Akay had been berthed at De Francheschi Pier and was departing Rijeka bound for Turkey when the incident occurred.
Darko Glazar, Harbour Master of the Port Authority Rijeka, said that according to initial information the Turkish vessel most likely suffered a propulsion failure.
The ship was immediately banned from leaving port until all circumstances surrounding the collision are established.
Witnesses said the cargo vessel appeared unable to stop while making a wide turn before the crash. The crew reportedly dropped two anchors in an attempt to halt the ship, but were unable to prevent the impact.
No injuries have been reported. The extent of the damage to both vessels will be determined following a detailed inspection.
Galeb, also known as the “Ship of Peace”, served as a training ship of the Yugoslav Navy and as the presidential yacht used by Josip Broz Tito, the lifelong president of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Over the years the vessel hosted numerous prominent figures. Among them were Queen Elizabeth II, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Tito also received major film stars during his rule, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — who portrayed him in the 1973 film The Battle of Sutjeska and later met him — as well as Sophia Loren, Orson Welles and Yul Brynner during visits to Yugoslavia.
The ship underwent extensive restoration between 2019 and 2024 after arriving in Rijeka following refurbishment at the Dalmont shipyard in Kraljevica. The works included restoration of the interior and conversion into a museum vessel.
Galeb is listed as a protected cultural asset of the Republic of Croatia and is intended to operate as a museum ship in Rijeka.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: Central European News
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