Life on the water may look like freedom, but it begins with discipline. Safety, procedures, service, logistics, teams, and deadlines. What you never see in photographs determines whether the season runs smoothly, the boat stays reliable, and the client feels safe. In that zone of responsibility, where knowledge becomes the standard, women have long been present. They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the same criteria, the same recognition, and enough room for decisions to be made based on competence.
This section does not single women out. It places them exactly where they belong, at the center of a professional conversation about a growing marine industry. In the pages that follow, you will hear from women who make key decisions every day, at sea and ashore, in operations and in the classroom. Their words carry weight. This is experience that raises the standard.
RENATA KNEŽIĆ RAK
CEO, Adria Libar Maritime Training Centre
Svaki put kad govorimo o ovoj temi, iznova osetim koliko je važno govoriti otvoreno. Bitno mi je da naglasim nešto što često spominjem – raznolikost u timovima je poslovna prednost. Kroz svoj posao svakodnevno susrećem ljude koji grade karijeru na moru, ali i na kopnu, gde se različita znanja prirodno povezuju, a među njima su i instruktorke, kapetanice, menadžerke marina, specijalistkinje za bezbednost, prodaju, marketing, predavačice, dizajnerke. Tamo gde se spajaju različiti pristupi, raste i kvalitet usluge.
Verujem da će naredne godine doneti još više odgovornosti za nas koji učestvujemo u edukaciji, ali motivacije ne nedostaje. Svaki susret sa profesionalcima koji godinama nose najodgovornije pozicije, ali i sa mladim ljudima koji ulaze u sektor, otvara vrata novim prilikama i edukaciji koju sprovodimo u trening centru Adria Libar. Sektoru je potrebno više obrazovanih profesionalaca i to je važno. Na nama je da programe prilagođavamo tržištu i podstičemo karijerne puteve. Tako nastaje ciklus koji podržava rast celokupnog nautičkog sektora.
Kada govorimo o budućnosti, želim da Adria Libar ostane institucija koja otvara vrata i ruši barijere.
RENATA MAREVIĆ
Director, Marina Punat d.o.o.
The marine industry remains largely male-dominated, but in recent years we have seen more and more women in leadership roles. It is also important to remember that a large number of women work in many other roles: yacht officers, skippers, hostesses, cleaners, cooks, service staff, deckhands, as well as a growing number of engineers and boat designers. It is also worth noting that in boatbuilding many women work in hull lamination.
The difference between being a woman in the marine industry in the past and today has been, above all, how work is valued, as is the case in other industries. The changes are positive, yet women still earn less than men in the same roles across industries. We are working to end that practice. I would also emphasize that within the Marina Punat Group, women hold most of the leading positions across our departments and companies.
SVETLANA MOJIĆ DŽAKULA
Founder and CEO, Salt & Water Design Studio
The yachting industry is still predominantly male, but the picture is slowly changing, thanks to women whose knowledge and results have opened space for progress.
Today, the presence of women is no longer unusual, yet there is still much work to be done, especially in shipyards, where women are accepted as individuals once they have proven themselves, while each new arrival must still prove herself all over again.
In an environment like that, I built my own path as well. I entered the yachting industry after a decade spent in competitive sailing, driven by a clear desire to combine the two things I love most, architecture and the sea. After years of professional development and working for others, I founded my own yacht design and architecture studio, Salt & Water, 14 years ago.
Years of experience in the yachting industry have confirmed one thing: great design, design that respects nature and context, outlives trends. A vessel is experienced through all the senses, which is why every design decision must be carefully considered, especially when guests are away from shore, surrounded by the sea, seeking rest, calm, and a sense of balance.
Even today, after all these years, the moment I step on deck or take the helm remains the place where I reset most easily and recharge. It is the moment that reminds me, every time, why I chose this path.
MEGAN GERLIS
Group PR, Marketing & Events | Sunseeker London Group
I entered the nautical industry at 18, joining Sunseeker London straight from school and immediately stepping into the fast-paced world of the September boat shows. Those early moments taught me one of the most important lessons of my career: adaptability is everything.
Understanding how different clients connect with the brand and strategically shaping events, marketing, and experiences around them has fundamentally changed how I work and lead.
Now in my eighth year, I co-run the marketing, events, and charter departments across Sunseeker London Group’s 35 offices throughout Europe. Transitioning from a junior role in a large team to a key leadership role in two core departments has been a defining milestone, built on trust, resilience, and the confidence to make bold, informed decisions.
What continues to motivate me is the people around me. Sunseeker is a true family, a network of passionate colleagues, partners, and clients united by ambition and pride in the brand. Combined with the creativity, travel, and innovation that define this industry, it’s an environment that continues to inspire me and where women are not only present but also empowered to lead, influence, and shape its future with confidence.
