Harmony II

Harmony II — A Life in Full

From Adriatic ferry to transatlantic yacht: a vessel reborn

Launched in 1954 from Brodogradilište Uljanik in Pula, Yugoslavia, the vessel that would become Harmony II has lived many lives — ferry, cargo ship, hotel, conference center, and finally, a private ocean-going yacht. Each chapter of her story reflects changing times, borders, and ambitions.

Her Story

In 1955, she was renamed Mostar and continued to serve the Adriatic coast as a passenger and general cargo ferry under Yugoslavia’s state-run enterprise.

Technical Origins (1954–1955)

  • Original Name: Osijek

  • Completed: 1954

  • Length: 189 ft

  • Beam: 28 ft

  • Displacement: 574 gross tons

  • Engines: Two 4-stroke oil engines

  • Builder: Brodogradilište Uljanik, Pula, Yugoslavia

  • First Service: Jadranska Linijska Plovidba, Split (Adriatic Line)

Changing Hands, Changing Roles (1960s–1980s)

  • 1964: Registered at Ploče

  • 1966: Rebuilt and re-registered at Piraeus, Greece as The Meltemi

  • 1980–83: Operated day trips to Venice

  • 1983: Sold to Hellenic Mediterranean Cruises

  • 1987: Renamed Apollon I for Athenian day cruises

  • 1989: Laid up in Tilbury Docks, London — listed for £3.5M

By the late ’80s, she was being eyed more as a hospitality space than a working ship.

The London Years (1987–2000)

  • 1987: Renamed Prince Albert, re-registered in London

  • Operated as a static hotel, restaurant, and conference centre

  • Hosted events at Greenwich Pier and attended the Cowes Regatta

Later, she was laid up, eventually repossessed and put up for sale. By 2000, her condition had deteriorated; she was reportedly found filled with old tyres and refrigerators before being rescued once more.

The Rebuild: 2001–2006

In 2001, PedShip acquired the vessel and began the five-year transformation that would turn her into Harmony II. It was the most ambitious project we had undertaken to date.

Key Achievements:

  • Over 12,000 rivets hand-welded for hull integrity

  • Complete refit of interiors, replacing decades of use with modern luxury

  • 12 bespoke cabins, each uniquely designed with hand-selected materials

  • Mechanical overhaul — engine trials and navigational upgrades

  • Transatlantic capability established and tested

This wasn’t a refit. It was a resurrection.

Harmony II Today

Now a fully seaworthy private yacht with a soul, Harmony II carries the elegance of her age and the reliability of modern engineering. She is:

  • Certified for ocean crossings

  • Equipped with luxury accommodations

  • Steeped in 70 years of layered maritime history

Wherever she sails, she brings with her a story that spans nations, ideologies, and industries.

Why Harmony II Matters to PedShip

This vessel defined a new chapter in our practice — where boatbuilding meets historical stewardship. It tested our limits and shaped our philosophy: respect the vessel, honour the past, and build for the future.

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