Jadrolinija in the Homeland War

The state of war in the Adriatic had begun already on June 27, 1991, with the conflict between the YNA (Yugoslav People's Army)  and the Slovenian Territorial Defense forces. At that time, Jadrolinija ships evacuated around 10,000 passengers, mostly foreigners from the Adriatic. Most of them were transported by the Istrian ferry to Trieste, and the Illyria and the Marco Polo helped in this. As early as July 2, 1991, the management of Jadrolinija announced a work obligation for all seafarers and other employees on land. Maritime blockades followed, during which Jadrolinija ships often performed tasks for the Croatian army, and daily connections between the north and south of the Adriatic were established. Also, many Jadrolinija staff did not respect the navigation ban issued by the Yugoslav Navy and would rest in the harbors during the day, and then at night, without ship lights, maintain a connection with the islands.

Air raids on ferry ports and bridges were also frequent, but Jadrolinija's crews maintained the connection with the islands despite the dangerous conditions, and with the destruction of the Maslenica bridge, ferries and ships became the only connection between Dalmatia and the rest of Croatia.

On October 1, 1991, the ancient city of Dubrovnik was attacked from land, sea, and air, and already on September 17, the Yugoslav Navy had introduced a complete naval blockade of the city. After the Adriatic Highway was cut, the only connection between Dubrovnik and the rest of Croatia was by the sailing of Jadrolinija ships. Dubrovnik was without water, electricity, food, and medicine, and there were about 50,000 residents and refugees from neighboring towns in the city. The desire to help the devastated Dubrovnik community culminated in the spontaneous organization of the famous Libertas convoy, led by Jadrolinija's Slavia. On its journey, the convoy docked in Zadar, Šibenik, Split, and Korčula, gradually growing each time, thanks to the addition of many smaller boats. On October 31, the convoy sailed into the Dubrovnik port of Gruž, bringing the light of hope and freedom to surrounded Dubrovnik.

Among Jadrolinija's actions in the Homeland War, the role in the attack on Split stands out. In the early morning of November 15, 1991, Split was attacked from Yugoslav Navy ships located in the Split and Brač channels. After the fighting, on November 16, 1991, the Croatian Navy won its greatest victory in the Homeland War. It started the gradual liberation of the coast and islands, and the Yugoslav Navy had to retreat to the islands of Vis and Lastovo, and to the Bay of Kotorska in Montenegro. The white ships of Jadrolinija were also targets of the aggressor during the attack. Several shells were fired towards the Split ferry port. In the aggressor's attack on the ferry port, the Bartol Kašić and Vladimir Nazor ferries were hit.  

The war was answered in the only possible way and the way Jadrolinija knew – sailing despite the blockades. Ten dead sailors paid the highest price. About eighty employees of Jadrolinija went to the front line. Several ships were damaged, and the ferries Klimno, Supetar, and Kačjak and the ship Perast were completely lost. Apart from the ships and ferries, many sailors and employees of Jadrolinija participated in the defense of the Homeland in Croatian Army units. Jadrolinija's role in the Homeland War was acknowledged with numerous recognitions and awards, and in 1991, the Vjesnik newspaper's Blue Ribbon for bravery was also awarded.