At Otium Yachts, something we pride ourselves on is knowing the yachts and crew we recommend personally. With more than a decade’s worth of experience in the charter industry, we have fostered strong relationships with the people we work with – our yachts and crews feel more like extended family than colleagues. In a saturated market, we believe this is one of our greatest points of difference. This is why we wanted to write this series, so you can get to know the people ‘behind’ the yachts like we do. Today, let us introduce you to Captain Luka Jakir from Tajna Mora.
What is your family history at sea?
Our cousin spent a lot of time researching our family history at sea and discovered that it dates back to the 1800s. The first in this line (that we know of), started sailing at the fall of the Venetian Empire, transporting wine and olive oil between the mainland and island Brac. The boats and industry were a little different then, but every generation has had its challenges, and we wouldn’t be here without all those that came before us. My brother and I are the eighth generation working at sea, and this is something we are immensely proud of.
When did your story at sea begin?
Like Filip, I grew up around boats and have been by my brother’s side for the last eight years, learning the ins and outs of sailing and the whole Dalmatian coast. I have worked as a deckhand and a helmsman for that period, while also providing assistance to the interior part such as bartending and helping other crew members. My ultimate goal has always been to become a captain one day, so I made sure to understand the role of every position on the boat. My passion for sailing and the sea is genuine, something I felt my whole life, and something I’ve always been driven towards.
How do you feel about taking over the helm?
This will be my first year as a captain, but I am very excited, and I feel ready to take on the challenge. I am looking forward to stepping up and continuing our family legacy at sea, that is something I appreciate a lot. Plus, I can’t help but be a little proud to become a captain a year before Filip did (I’m saying this in the spirit of friendly brother rivalry of course)! But jokes aside, I am grateful to have had these last eight years to learn the ropes, and now I’m really looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.
You already have a relationship with most of the crew, right?
Yes, exactly! Most of us have been together for a long time and we have a great team dynamic. We have a couple of new faces to hire for the interior team, but our bartender has been with us since the start and the chef has been with us for 6 years already. We all know each other, work well together, and this helps me feel even more confident stepping into the role of a captain. Our guests have always commented on the positive team atmosphere and how it feels like family, so I intend on continuing this because I know how important it is.
What do you love about working at sea?
I love meeting new people, and I love seeing our guests’ faces when they are happy with the service we provide. There is no better feeling than this. Every week, we get invites from our guests to come and visit them. Most of our guests say they feel like we are family, and that they feel like they are ‘at home’ aboard Tajna Mora. This is something that really drives me above and beyond for providing exquisite service. We have a long list of return clients; I feel like this means we are doing something right. Meeting new people and making great experiences for them, this is what I love, and what I am looking forward to this year.
Do you have any new ideas for Tajna Mora or what is your philosophy?
We are fully booked every year and have many return clients, so I don’t think I need to reinvent the wheel as such. I would like to carry on what we have been doing while finding new hidden gems on our beautiful coast. Croatia is a very special and diverse country so I am always on the lookout to find new ways and new bays to surprise and give our guests a chance for making spectacular memories. I enjoy providing unique moments for them.
Besides sailing, what are some of your other passions?
I love sports, football has always been my first love but besides I enjoy riding motorcycles and snowboarding, anything that is active and full of adrenaline. I’m also an avid reader and passionate about reading psychology, leadership, and books about business. My brother Filip always jokes that he wants to invest in me because I am the entrepreneur of the family.
What are your future goals?
My goal is to stay with Tajna Mora for at least a few years. I plan to continue studying, learning, and developing. My ultimate goal was always to become a captain of a super yacht. That kind of ambition is always pushing me in everything I do. This is what I love most about the yachting industry, there are endless ways to continue learning and progress in your career.
CHOOSE TO SAIL WITH LUKA AND TAJNA MORA
Tajna Mora has always held a special place in our hearts, and we’ve been honored to work with them since the beginning. So, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that Luka is stepping up as captain of Tajna Mora. Luka is a passionate sailor in his own right, with a positive and infectious attitude that we know the guests will love. We have no doubt that he’ll bring fresh energy as captain and continue to create amazing experiences for his guests. We wish Luka the best of luck with his new role and know our guests will be in good hands.
Tajna Mora is an elegant, perfectly maintained gulet, and suits larger groups (up to 18 guests). Read more information about Tajna Mora here or contact us for questions and inquiries.