WELCOME TO
BATALO
PROIZD
MOVING RESTAURANT & BAR
FROM WARSHIP TO WINE & WAVES: THE STORY OF BATALO
Batalo wasn’t always serving wine and seafood under the sun. Decades ago, her hull was built for a different mission — as part of a fleet of military landing craft for the Yugoslav Navy. Crafted in the Greben Shipyard in Vela Luka between 1975 and 1984, she belonged to a proud class of desantno-jurišni čamci (DJČ), designed for speed, strength, and strategic landings.
Instead of being left to decay or becoming 20 tons of waste, Batalo was brought back to life — right where she was born. Recycled and reimagined by local craftsmen at Porat Shipyard in Vela Luka, her strong plastic hull became the foundation for something completely new: a sustainable floating restaurant and excursion vessel with soul.
But time had other plans.
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Her design gives her a unique advantage — a shallow draft that lets her glide into hidden bays, quiet coves, and untouched shores that most boats can’t reach. And that’s exactly where she takes her guests: to places that feel secret, special, and deeply connected to the Adriatic spirit.
Today, Batalo isn’t just a boat. She’s a second chance, a story of transformation, and a tribute to island craftsmanship. From warship to hospitality — she now carries laughter, flavor, and unforgettable memories across the sea she once served.
THE MAN AT THE HELM: CAPTAIN IVAN VLAŠIĆ
Captain Ivan Vlašić was born and raised by the sea — and it never let him go. With over 25 years sailing some of the world’s most demanding oceans, and more than 15 of those years spent as a commanding officer on chemical tankers, he brings a level of maritime expertise few can match.
A graduate of the Maritime Faculty in Split, Ivan holds degrees in both Nautics and Marine Fisheries Technology. But his passion goes beyond certifications. Since 1998, he’s been a licensed CMAS diver, and a lifelong student of navigation, ecology, and island tradition.
Today, Ivan is more than just the captain of Batalo — he’s its heart. A father of five, a steward of the sea, and a fierce advocate for preserving the Adriatic, he’s equally at home reading a nautical chart as he is preparing freshly caught fish with his guests.
Ask him how to navigate without GPS, and he’ll show you a sextant. Ask him how to treat the sea, and he’ll say: with respect. And if you catch a fish during your trip? He’ll cook it for you himself — no charge, just a smile.
Captain Ivan doesn’t just guide a boat. He creates an experience that’s safe, soulful, and deeply connected to the rhythms of the islands he calls home.
