"Sailing in front of our idyllic seashore home during my early childhood years in the mid ‘50's attracted me to the sea and convinced me to follow the family seafaring tradition.

My first real journey took me from the island of Brac where I lived, 100 miles down south to Dubrovnik. My new school regimen, as well as all the other new things that city life brings, such as catching and riding the tram to school, required an adjustment at the beginning.

Nevertheless, it all ended well with my graduation from the Nautical Academy in 1961 and, in 1968, from the Nautical College.

Between the years of formal schooling, there were a couple of years of apprenticeship at sea and, most importantly, falling in love and marrying Maja.

Zenica 12-passenger, 4,000-ton general cargo ship

The Zenica and her sistership Vares of Croatia’s Jadroplov (Adriatic Steamship) offered voyages to the Great Lakes starting in 1959, the year in which the new Seaway was opened.       In 1961, I began my sea career on this ship as a cadet.

As a sea captain, I revelled in the experience of so many voyages all over the world. This lasted until 1980 when my work ashore begun.

I held a number of executive positions, first with the Croatia's Adriatic Steamship in Chicago and Montreal, then with the Canadian Cast Line in Montreal and Bermuda. This part of my own journey lasted until 1993, the year when I founded Maris Freighter Cruises.

Sunny and warm day, but choppy seas with passenger Armand in charge.

While at sea and in offices ashore, passenger service was always an important part of my responsibilities. Ships with itineraries such as the Adriatic - Red Sea, Adriatic - Australia and Adriatic - Great Lakes, carried 12 passengers each.

The voyage to the Great Lakes, much sought after by passengers, was highly challenging to seamen. I was on that run throughout the ‘70's, sailing from warm, colorful Mediterranean ports, across the wintry North Atlantic and icy St. Lawrence River, to Montreal, carrying general cargo and the very first shipments of what came to be known as ‘containerized’ cargo. And, at the end of the winter, when the ice would begin to melt, the voyage would continue through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal and into the Great Lakes.

For me personally, the greatest challenge, as well as satisfaction, was to sail on the Great Lakes and dock the ship in ports without assistance from the local pilots. Such a privilege was entrusted only to those sea captains who were experienced on the Great Lakes and who had passed a rigorous examination process. The exam had to be taken every two years.

My fourth and last Great Lakes Navigation Certificate.

And the greatest thrill was to be the first captain of the season to reach a Great Lakes port.

Greeting the first overseas vessel of the 1978 season, Harbor Master John Mann of the port of Toronto, Canada presents an aneroid barometer.

"Capt. Ranko Zunic sailing the Makarska into Cleveland’s port to open the 1978 international shipping season. He was welcomed by Mayor Dennis Kucinich and Cleveland’s Junior Chamber of Commerce".       The Cleveland Press, April 10, ‘78

Representatives of all the steamship lines calling at port of Montreal in 1981.

The Maris office, supported by Maja, my right hand, and young family members Jean-Pierre, Sabi, Maris and Sean.

Back on the island, one of many       nostalgic good-byes to my mother."

Ranko Zunic