1st Explorer Dock
The Explorer Yachts at the Yacht Club of Monaco embody a passion for adventure and innovation, each designed to navigate beyond traditional boundaries and face the challenges of the oceans.
À Chacun Son Cap: a unique adventure at sea for children in remission from cancer
Monday 4th March 2024. François Miribel from Yacht Club de Monaco has just unveiled a fabulous initiative entitled À Chacun Son Cap (“each to their own”) cruise.
This ambitious project aims to give children aged 10 to 17 from IHOPe in Lyon, who are in remission from cancer, a truly memorable experience. Thanks to the generosity of YCM members, from 21-27 April these young people will have the opportunity to sail along the coast between Hyères and Monaco on boats made available for the trip at no charge.
Honouring forward-looking owners
3rd YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts | Thursday 23rd March 2023
Thursday 23rd March 2023. Reflections on conserving and protecting the marine environment took centre stage during Monaco Ocean Week, organised on the initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Monaco Government, Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre. At this year’s event, Yacht Club de Monaco ran the debates again for the superyacht sector, on Thursday 23rd March, a highlight of which is the YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts, held under the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting brand.
This year, in paying tribute to a long tradition of exploration and innovation initiated by Prince Albert I and the strong links he had with music, the meeting opened with pianist Vincent Forestier and violinist Fabrizio Von Arx playing a 1720 Stradivarius, ‘The Angel’, an exceptional, rare instrument reflecting the unique-of-its-kind 3rd YCM Explorer Awards.
Urging a more responsible yachting industry through alternative energy sources, innovation and collaboration
12th Environmental Symposium | Thursday 23rd March 2023
Thursday 23rd March 2023. “Yachting is not like any other industry. There is a passion associated that is very strong and we must keep this in mind to find acceptable solutions. We need to build the future of yachting in a reasonable way. And that is the whole point of us all being here today,” began Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary and President of Cluster Yachting Monaco opening the 12th Environmental Symposium. Organised under the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting brand on Yachting Day, run by YCM during the 6th Monaco Ocean Week, the meeting focused on the upcoming 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
The over-arching objective is to open the debate by mixing industry players with students to highlight actions being taken. Alternative energy sources, innovation and efficiency anchored discussions on sustainability in the sector and need to involve not only new generation engineers but the whole industry.
Yachting industry mobilised for sustainable future
Monaco Ocean Week Yachting Days (23-24 March 2023)
As every year, Yacht Club de Monaco is in charge of the Yachting Day, under the aegis of the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting brand, during the 6th Monaco Ocean Week (20-26 March 2023). This is an initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Monaco Government, the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre.
“Yachting faces major changes. A modernisation has become inevitable, and those involved in the sector are mobilised to initiate this evolution through research and bringing on new solutions,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of YCM and President of Cluster Yachting Monaco. “The assessment phase is over, we must act now with pragmatic solutions like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and brings young engineers together with industry professionals to present and test their innovations in propulsion”.
To this end, a packed programme of events open to all (registration required) takes place Thursday 23rd March dedicated to the future of a more eco-responsible yachting industry.
9.00am-12.30pm: 12th Environmental Symposium La Belle Classe Superyachts: ‘Encouraging Sustainability in Yachting, engaging the industry and new generation of engineers’
2.00pm: 27th Captains’ Forum: ‘Superyacht Commitment: Management, Leadership & Mentoring’
3.30pm: Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous
6.30pm: 3rd YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts
12th Environmental Symposium La Belle Classe Superyachts: sustainability for industry players
A must-do fixture in the calendar for all those involved in the industry, the focus of this 12th Environmental Symposium is on the 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge to take stock of alternative energy sources and their efficiency for superyachts. The theme ‘Encouraging Sustainability in Yachting, engaging the industry and new generation of engineers’ will highlight initiatives underway to give owners and the industry keys to a more eco-responsible approach, and to present a Sailing Yacht Zero scenario, hulls of the future and progress on electric and hydrogen/electric hybrid propulsion systems.
11th Environmental Symposium – La Belle Classe Superyachts: ‘Yachting with sense’
Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022)
Friday 25th March. As part of Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022), Yacht Club de Monaco was in charge of the yachting component during a week organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Government, in partnership with the Monaco Oceanographic Institute & Monaco Scientific Centre. The purpose was to progress thinking on how to protect the environment.
Oceanographers, captains, expedition leaders, biologists and maritime experts gathered to share their experiences and analyses on the theme ‘Yachting with sense’.The 11th Environmental Symposium was the scene of intense discussions on one of the most vulnerable regions that is attracting increasing numbers of visitors: the Antarctic.
American oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle, an iconic leader in ocean preservation was on the panel, and who better to kick off the discussions. Referred to in jest as “Her Deepness”, a reference to the many records in exploration she has set during a long career, Sylvia Earle returned to the need to protect the ocean, so vital to life on Earth: “Let’s not take nature for granted,” she reminded the audience.
The last continent to be discovered and then explored, the Antarctic is drawing in the crowds while also being the region most threatened by global warming.
Thursday 24th March: Monaco Capital of Yachting
Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022)
Monday 21st March – The Principality of Monaco is all set to host the 5th Monaco Ocean Week, 20-25 March 2022, an initiative driven by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Monaco Oceanographic Institute, the Monaco Scientific Centre (CSM) and Yacht Club de Monaco.
As it does every year, Yacht Club de Monaco is responsible for the yachting aspect on the Thursday, 24th March, with a full day dedicated to this important industry’s role.
“The sector is in the process of changing in the face of environmental issues; indeed the industry is actively evolving in response to the resulting constraints. All professionals involved in the sector are mobilised to propose concrete actions that make a difference and to speak as one voice,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary and President of the Cluster Yachting Monaco.
A full programme of meetings on Thursday 24th March is open to all (by prior registration), with a strong emphasis on innovation.
9.00am-3.45pm: 11th La Belle Classe Superyachts Environmental Symposium
9.45am-10.00am: Presentation on 2nd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous
11.00am: Presentation on the Phase II road map of Monaco Capital of Yachting attended by YCM President HSH Prince Albert II
4.00pm-5.50pm: Monaco Energy Boat Challenge meetings
6.00pm: WISAMO – Innovation harnessing wind – talk by Michel Desjoyeaux
7.30pm: La Belle Classe Superyachts YCM Explorer Awards
11th La Belle Classe Superyachts Environmental Symposium: a long-term commitment
A fixture in the diaries of owners and their captains, this year’s symposium entitled Yachting with sense helps them keep up to date with developments and brings together all those involved in the sector to discuss the way forward in exchanges led by guest speakers invited to share their analyses and experiences.
A first roundtable (9.00am-11.00am) will focus on the Antarctic, followed by an afternoon session (2.00pm-3.45pm), entitled ‘Superyacht Crowdsourced Data Collection’ for scientific purposes.
Presentation of 2nd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina rendezvous
J/70 Training Clinic
J/70 Training Clinic – 26-27 February
Ten teams turned out for the 4th J/70 Training Clinic of the year. Organised by YCM and supervised by high-level technique gurus it was a great opportunity for the Monegasque fleet to fine tune skills for upcoming regattas, including the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse and of course the J/70 World Championship here in Monaco (14-22 October).
Yachting energy revolution!
10e Symposium Environnemental « La Belle Classe Superyachts »
As part of Monaco Ocean Week (22-27 March 2021), Yacht Club de Monaco was responsible for the yachting component during a week organised by the Prince Albert II Foundation and Monaco Government, in partnership with the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre, the purpose of which was to progress thinking on how to protect the marine environment.
YCM therefore held its 10th La Belle Classe Superyachts Environmental Symposium on 25th March to bring owners and captains up to date with what is happening on this issue in yachting and unite all those involved in the sector. YCM sees itself as a crossroads for discussions. Due to the global health situation, there was a new format this year with a full day of talks and lively debates held in-person and remotely. Six experts in their field, including explorer Mike Horn and journalist Guillaume Pitron attended to share their experience and expertise on the theme: New energy sources and carbon emissions: looking forward.
Yachting’s future at the heart of the debate
During the Monaco Yacht Show, the Yacht Club de Monaco organised its 23rd Captains Forum in partnership with insurance company, Ascoma Maritime. An annual event, it brings superyacht captains together to socialise and share experiences, and is an ideal opportunity to debate topical issues that affect them.
As a Club which holds a unique position in the global luxury yacht industry, this year the YCM wanted to bring these key players together around two themes:
preservation of the marine environment through a pivotal topic for the future – noise pollution
training professionals, with a presentation on new courses offered by the Yacht Club de Monaco’s La Belle Classe Academy training centre.
Gathered on the Yacht Club de Monaco’s terrace overlooking the YCM Marina, captains were invited to discuss the impact of “20,000 noises under the sea”. Professor Michel André, Director of Applied Bioacoustics Laboratory at the Technical University of Catalonia, BarcelonaTech (UPC) gave a fascinating talk on the impact of manmade noise on marine wildlife.
It is a fact that thousands of species, for whom sound is the only way they can communicate, orientate or locate food, are increasingly being disturbed by sound waves from shipping, drilling, offshore construction and even pleasure boats which mask the natural sounds of the ocean.
In their talks which followed, Captains Sean Meagher (M/Y Latitude – 52m), Michael Zerr (S/Y A – 143m) and Fraser Gow (M/Y Gene Machine – 55m) questioned the expert on solutions and technologies available to reduce their sonar footprints, for example “smart ears” or noise sensors that can be used to map areas most affected. The discussion also looked at legislation and programmes in place to return to a “correct” sound level, with measures like requiring noisy vessels to bypass protected areas and the international LIDO (Listen to the Deep Ocean, http://listentothedeep.com) programme. This acoustic measuring software instrument provides a global approach to marine noise pollution, helps governments legislate and supports industry players in their efforts to reduce their acoustic signature.
“Sound is synonymous with life in the oceans. To pollute this vital channel of communication is to condemn the ocean to an irreversible imbalance,” says Professor Michel André. “We already have advanced technologies at our disposal to analyse and mitigate manmade noise pollution and return to a sustainable acoustic balance for future generations. To achieve this we need everyone to support us, and big yachts have a vital role to play. Not only can they collect data by recording soundscapes in less accessible regions, but also by setting an example for large ships by employing quieter engines with less impact on marine biodiversity.”
Superyacht captains on the panel of experts for this 23rd Captains Forum welcomed the idea. As Michael Zerr (S/Y A), pointed out: “Contributing to the body of scientific knowledge has become a necessity and requires all those involved in the sea to participate”.
As for Captain Sean Meagher (M/Y Latitude) he stressed the need for technical measures to help minimise our acoustic footprint in the oceans. While the large yachts may not be major contributors to noise pollution, they have privileged access to the remotest of regions which gives them added responsibility when exploring these last pristine corners of the planet.
Ascoma Maritime, partner for this event represented by Nicolas Mior, highlighted new EU legislation adopted to achieve healthy marine systems by 2020, including a provision to ensure underwater noise does not “adversely affect” marine life. “Vessels can be made quieter,” he says, “by raising engines off the vessel floor or using propellers designed to reduce cavitation – the creation of tiny bubbles that pop loudly when they explode.” He also pointed out that most measures designed to quieten a vessel go hand in hand with improving fuel efficiency.
Discussions continued in the YCM’s La Belle Classe Academy training centre where new courses for 2019-2020 were presented. In a bid to meet the needs of yachting professionals, new courses continue to be added to the programme:
Monaco Weather Lab, introduced by Navimeteo’s Gianfranco Meggiorin, the purpose of which is to give candidates a better understanding of meteorological data when sailing.
Environmental Training for Yacht Crews (ETYC), which aims to educate crew members on the ecological footprint left by their boat and includes waste management and using everyday products in a more eco-responsible manner, led by Claire Férandier.
Risk Management training day in partnership with Ascoma Maritime, on the different insurance schemes and requirements and risk prevention for private and commercial yachts.
Changes to the Polar Code by Yan Pearson.
“Destination Barman”, with instructor Giorgio Rocchino, winner of Best Barman in Italy and 3rd in Europe; the Art of Service on board being a speciality of this training centre dedicated to excellence on board.
Next Captains Forum: September 2020 as part of Monaco Ocean Week, a highlight of the day being the YCM La Belle Classe Superyachts Explorers Awards. For more information, please contact Cristina Ruiz, YCM Superyacht Relations Manager by email: c.ruiz@ycm.org