On the occasion of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s end-of-year cocktail reception, its President, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, announced a collaboration between the Yacht Club de Monaco and The Explorers Club of New York, marking a significant new milestone in the collective initiative “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting.” As part of this partnership, a delegation of around one hundred members from the prestigious American club, founded in 1904, will travel to the Principality from 21 to 24 March 2026.
This alliance is part of a strong international momentum, which will be symbolically extended by the participation of Tuiga (1909), the Y.C.M.’s flagship, and Viola (1908) in the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence on 4 July 2026. A unique moment in the history of the 15 Metre International Rule.
Over four days, the Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous will bring together owners, captains, scientists, institutions, and innovation stakeholders around a shared ambition: positioning yachting as a platform dedicated to knowledge, exploration, and environmental responsibility.
On Sunday, 22 March, an immersive day at the heart of Port Hercule will be highlighted by the inauguration of the Explorer Dock, visits to so-called “Explorer” yachts, and a friendly regatta, encouraging exchanges between the maritime and exploration communities.
The first key highlight of the event is dedicated to the transmission of knowledge and professional opportunities. The Yachting Career Fair stands out as the must-attend event for discovering careers in yachting. In an industry constantly striving for excellence and innovation, this day enables younger generations to meet leaders from the maritime industry. The objective is clear: to inspire new vocations and support the transformation of maritime careers toward high-performance and responsible standards.
In collaboration with the prestigious Explorers Club of New York, this key moment positions yachting as a platform in the service of knowledge. Structured around major themes such as the Deep Ocean and Coral Reefs, this day is organized in partnership with the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM), Coral Gardeners, and legendary explorer Victor Vescovo (Five Deeps expedition).
A true operational pillar of the Yacht Club de Monaco, the 30th Captains’ Forum will take place on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. This key event brings together captains and industry leaders around a shared objective: deploying concrete solutions for sustainable yachting and optimized vessel management.
The event will focus on innovations that can be directly implemented on board. Particular attention will be given to hands-on workshops dedicated to the SEA Index®. This global benchmark tool, developed by the Yacht Club de Monaco, enables the effective measurement, comparison, and reduction of the environmental footprint of superyachts.
This technical forum offers a unique opportunity to turn environmental ambitions into tangible action, through exchanges centered on energy efficiency, clean technologies, and the preservation of marine ecosystems.
The highlight of the event is the YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts ceremony. This key moment celebrates owners who view yachting as a responsibility. The awards recognize the most exemplary projects according to four fundamental criteria: Technology, Adventure, Environment, and Science.
It represents the ultimate recognition for those who use their vessels to advance human knowledge while minimizing the ecological impact of their expeditions, in the spirit and values upheld by the Yacht Club de Monaco.
