Vladimir Mikšić knows every berth at ACI Marina Vodice
In an interview with the Infovodice.com portal, Vladimir Mikšić, staff manager at ACI Marina Vodice and a man who has worked at the marina since 1989, shared his experiences and thoughts on a job that has shaped his daily life for almost forty years.
Recalling his early days, Mikšić points out he originally came to the marina as a seasonal worker, but quickly realised he wanted to stay. “I came for the season and ended up staying permanently,” he says.
Although he trained as an installation technician, working with boats and the sea soon became second nature to him. Over the years, he has been involved in the handling and berthing of tens of thousands of boats, witnessing the marina’s development and increasingly demanding working conditions, as well as the evolution of the wider nautical industry and changing guest habits.
Experience leading to responsibility for safety in the marina
Speaking about his current role, he emphasises that the job of a marina attendant and that of a staff manager have significantly changed. In addition to mooring, complex day-to-day operations relating to boats also have to be coordinated – ranging from lifting and launching to repositioning and towing.
“A whole series of operations takes place here every day, requiring constant presence and strong coordination of the entire team,” he says, adding that experience is what makes the crucial difference in situations requiring a swift and reliable response.
Trust built over time as a legacy future generations can build on
In the interview, Vladimir Mikšić placed particular emphasis on the relationship with guests, which has developed over the years into something far more than a simple service. Many boaters have been coming to Vodice for decades, and the trust built over that time forms the foundation of this relationship. “The most important thing is that the guests know they are safe and can rely on us,” he stresses.
As he points out, his connection with the sea extends well beyond working hours, and the experience he has gained is something he is now keen to pass on to younger colleagues. “After so many years, you can anticipate what might happen. It’s important to learn to observe the sea, the boat and the wind, and to react in good time,” he explains.
A safe mooring and a satisfied guest are, even after all these years, what brings him the greatest fulfilment.
“When a boat is properly moored and the guest is at ease, you know you’ve done a good job,” concludes Vladimir Mikšić, whose story once again underlines the human strength behind the national marina chain.
Photos: Infovodice.com
