Fête de la Mer

Saturday 22nd June 2024

Holiday mood on the quays and at sea

 

 Barely a week since the Yacht Club de Monaco family gathered for the annual Summer Cocktail and the quays were buzzing again with a host of activities for the popular Fête de la Mer.

Organised by YCM in collaboration with all the Monegasque nautical-related institutions it was a full house. They included Pontons de Monaco Association, Prince Albert II Foundation, Monaco City Hall, Roca Jet Club de Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco (scuba diving club), the Monegasque Fishing Federation, SEPM (port authority), Société Nautique de Monaco (rowing club), RAMOGE, Monaco Association for the Protection of Nature, the Kate Powers Foundation, and the Pelagos Sanctuary.

Over 500 people turned out throughout the day to enjoy a packed programme of activities on, in and under the water for all the family.

 

Boat Parade tops the bill

A highlight was the parade of around 20 boats of all shapes and sizes, motor and sail, who came to enjoy the bay of Monaco after a blessing paid homage to those missing at sea, given by Father Règinald Desplanques. Majestically led by YCM’s flagship gaff cutter Tuiga and her crew of passionate members, the fleet headed for Larvotto before rounding a mark to enter the main harbour, Port Hercule, to the sound of fog horns and applause from spectators on the quays. Among them was the very first ClubSwan 28, one of the latest models to come out of the Finnish yard that was unveiled the day before at YCM by Nautor Swan Managing Director Lorenzo Bortolotti, alongside head of Sports Activities and Swan Product Manager Federico Michetti, both members of the Club. The new boat is expected to join the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series circuit alongside the J/70s.

 

Summer on the quays

A festive occasion to celebrate St Peter, the Patron Saint of Fishermen, the Fête de la Mer is a hugely popular festival in the Principality. Under the “Everyone to the Beach” banner, activities ranging from introductory sailing and scuba diving sessions to a fishing simulator, jet ski initiations, e-foiling, paddleboarding challenges and design workshops meant there was something for everyone. A big draw was the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (1-6 July 2024) simulator to discover what’s going on beneath the hulls of this major event which since 2014 has been bringing young engineers and the yachting industry together to progress alternative power sources for boats.

There can be no doubt that the spirit of the old Port de la Condamine lives on in the many activities available in the Principality that continue to win over all generations.