March the 24th, 2024 – One of the famous Neretva lađa boat which traditionally take to the waters of the ice cold Neretva River in southern Dalmatia has headed to New York.
As Morski writes, a traditional Neretva lađa boat set off from the Port of Metković on its historic journey to New York a few days ago. The vessel was loaded onto a truck and transported to the Port of Ploče, where it will be placed in a container and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA.
The process of loading the Neretva lađa, which weighs almost 700 kilograms, required precision from skilled port workers. After careful maneuvering and securing it inside a 40-foot container, it was ready for transfer to a ship and its long journey across the vast ocean that separates Europe from the Americas. Ahead of it lies a journey spanning thousands of nautical miles through international maritime routes. After 50 days of sailing, it is expected to arrive in the Port of New York.
This traditional Neretva lađa boat will then set sail along the famous Hudson River, as part of the rowing “Lađa in New York” rowing event, which will mark the 33rd anniversary of the Republic of Croatia’s admission to the United Nations on May the 22nd, 1992.
The traditional Dalmatian vessel will also row around Manhattan and Liberty Island, symbolically connecting Croatia’s history with the fight for freedom, with a special emphasis on preserving heritage, empowering youth, and gender equality.
These traditional vessels have been used for centuries along this famous waterway which passes through the extreme south of Dalmatia. It once served as the primary method of transportation, first mentioned as a war boat used by Duke Domagoj’s pirates in their fight against the Venetian Empire.
Various old Venetian sources also talk of these narrow river vessels and the pirates who terrorised the area back during the 10th century.
