Yesterday, Martinis Marchi Marina welcomed back the sailing yacht Donna, sailing under the Polish flag, marking the completion of an extraordinary four-year circumnavigation and a return to the place where it all began.

Donna, the Dufour 512 GL, had set sail from our marina on 6 June 2022, following a winter berth in the 2021/2022 season, embarking on a journey that would take her crew across some of the most remote and remarkable parts of the world.

Owner and captain Maciej Kowieski, together with his wife Martyna and their four children, spent four years at sea, navigating the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Red Sea. Their route included the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Panama, French Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, the Maldives and Djibouti. Among the most demanding moments of the journey was the passage through the Suez Canal, before returning to Europe through Greek waters.

The journey was not without its challenges, from technical issues and harsh weather conditions to medical situations during their stay in Indonesia.

At the same time, life at sea required constant organisation, including homeschooling for the children, adding a unique dimension to this remarkable experience.

Throughout their journey, the family remained closely connected with Martinis Marchi Marina, regularly sharing their story via social media and their YouTube channel Sail with Donna (@sailwithdonna).

Their return was marked just as it should be, with a genuine and warm welcome in our marina, with torches, traditional Dalmatian music and a glass of sparkling wine prepared by our marina team, in an atmosphere that brings together the sea, people and the stories that shape it. 

Some places are not just points on a map, but places of departure, and of return, and we are proud that our marina is a safe home for Donna!

Upon their return, the family shared their impressions and experiences with our Marina Reception Manager, Ivana Protulipac, and our photographer, MARO, captured the arrival and atmosphere of this special moment. 

All photos by Maro