Once again a rich and varied programme awaited all generations as Yacht Club de Monaco joined forces with Monegasque nautical and environmental institutions to organise the annual Fête de la Mer on Saturday 21 June. Several hundred turned out for this fun festive day in the YCM Marina with families, sea enthusiasts and stakeholders making the most of the watersports and educational activities available to all.
The day began with the traditional parade of boats of all shapes and sizes which gathered below the Oceanographic Museum for the blessing led by Deacon Robert Ferrua for sailors lost at sea, before the fleet returned to the marina led by YCM’s flagship gaff cutter Tuiga.
In the YCM Marina the quays were buzzing. All day, old and young alike took advantage of the activities available, ranging from introductory scuba diving, kayaking, J/70 and E-Foil sessions, inflatables and a slide for the kids, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge simulator, eco-educational stands, presentation of the new Hansa 303 donated by the Rotary Club of Monaco, etc… Not to mention the jet-ski rescue demonstration by the Monaco Maritime Police.
A dozen local partners were involved including the Pontons de Monaco, Société Nautique de Monaco (rowing club), the Fondation Prince Albert II of Monaco, Monaco Mairie, Roca Jet Club, the Oceanographic Museum, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, CESMM, the Monegasque Fishing Federation, the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco, le Gouvernement Princier, the Monaco Protection for Nature association, Collège François d’Assise Nicolas Barré, PELAGOS and RAMOGE.
Meanwhile, Yacht Club de Monaco was hosting an exhibition of works by pupils at the François d’Assise Nicolas Barré middle school. Entitled ‘Bouchons-nous pour la mer’, the artworks on display are created from recycled bottle tops, and question our relationship with waste, consumption and the sea. Begun last autumn, the project mirrors YCM’s core values of committed engagement, transmission and education.
Celebrating St Peter, the Patron Saint of Fishermen, Fête de la Mer is part of the mission to ensure Monaco is a driving force in raising awareness of the challenges facing the marine environment. An ambition that continues every year to federate institutions, partners and the public around a common cause: the sea.
In this same spirit, Yacht Club de Monaco invites the public to come to the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge taking place from 1st to 5th July. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event will feature an exhibitors village and paddocks that are open to everyone. The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge brings together engineering students and yachting professionals together to experiment, demonstrate and debate sustainable maritime mobility.
