The first Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous, organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with The Explorers Club of New York, concluded with the 6th YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts, in partnership with UBS and Bombardier. Under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II, since 2018 the ceremony has honoured owners who use their yachts as platforms for exploration, scientific research and innovation.
With these awards, YCM puts the spotlight on projects where sailing becomes a means to observe, understand and protect the ocean. “This vocation is part of my great-great-grandfather, Prince Albert I’s legacy, for whom scientific exploration was a priority to help preserve the oceans,” said the Sovereign, before adding, “Today, the challenges are immense. The territories to be explored are scientific, environmental and technological. Innovation is essential to ensure better observation, understanding and protection”.
Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM Director and General Secretary, Isabelle Curau-Bloch, General Secretary of Explorations de Monaco (EDM), Flavia Ferrucci, Director of the Greenland 2026 project, representing the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, Professor Patrick Rampal, Olivier Archambeau, President Société des Explorateurs Français (SEF), and Vivien Delaunay, Executive Director UBS (Monaco), Emmanuel Bornand, Vice-President Bombardier, and Micca Ferrero, owner of ICON Yachts, were present alongside the Sovereign and American oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer, Sylvia Earle: “We are at the beginning of the greatest era of exploration this planet has ever known,” she said. “Every day new discoveries of staggering importance are beginning to emerge. So thank you for leading the way in so many directions”.
An international Jury chaired by Richard Wiese, President of The Explorers Club, and comprising prominent individuals in the maritime, scientific and environmental fields, shortlisted 12 very different boats, all engaged in initiatives linked to exploration, innovation or reducing environmental impact.
Some were designed for long-distance voyages and exploration, while others support scientific missions or environmental programmes. Several projects also stood out for integrating technical solutions to improve energy efficiency. All reflect a gradual evolution taking place where the yacht becomes a tool for observation, experimentation and data collection.
During the ceremony, several yachts received their SEA Index® certification, an index developed by YCM And Credit Suisse (UBS Group) that has been used since 2020 to measure a yacht’s carbon emissions and assign it a rating (stars) based on the results.
– S/Y Simena
– S/Y 7Continent
– M/Y Be Mine
– M/Y Valor
– M/Y Akula
The presentation of certificates in the presence of owners and yacht representatives confirms a growing interest in tools to assess the environmental impact of yachts. The SEA Index® is part of a wider ranging initiative to support the move towards more responsible practices
As in previous years, the Jury selected the stand-out projects in two categories.
The Innovation & Technology Prize was awarded to the S/Cat Ganany, a catamaran designed to push the boundaries of energy efficiency and range, by prioritising technical solutions that reduce the catamaran’s environmental footprint while maintaining its exploration capabilities. According to Franck David, President of MODX Catamaran, the means are available now: “Sailing without using fossil fuels, without diesel, is possible. Solutions are out there”.
The Science & Discovery Prize went to the R/V Plastic Odyssey which is involved in expeditions to combat plastic pollution by combining scientific research, technological demonstrations and activities to raise awareness of the issue in many countries. “We started this adventure at the Yacht Club de Monaco,” says owner Simon Bernard. “A few years later, the first leg of this Plastic Odyssey expedition set out from here at the YCM. We have just returned from an incredible, extraordinary expedition round the world, crossing oceans from Africa to South America then Asia. We only recently got back. So we are very proud to end it in this way, with this award”.
The Jury Coup de Cœur Prize was awarded to M/Y Be Mine for its transformation into a long-distance exploration yacht, and its effective efforts to improve energy efficiency and operational practices when sailing in remote areas. A true honour for its captain, Philippe Heisig: “Our heartfelt thanks to the Yacht Club de Monaco and the SEA Index team. This has motivated us to go further and improve this old lady to become a beautiful yacht. Thank you. I am more than touched”.
The YCM Explorer Awards concluded four days dedicated to exploration, transmission and innovation in yachting, with the Yachting Student Fair, inauguration of the Explorer Dock, the Day of Exploration, and the 30th Captains’ Forum. With this programme, YCM continues to pursue its stated ambition to encourage the sector towards a more engaged model, capable of contributing to scientific research, maritime innovation and ocean protection, in line with the aims of its collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach.
The projects awarded this year show that this evolution is taking place, that a yacht can also be used to explore, understand, experiment and spread the word to protect the ocean.
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