Monaco Ocean Week

The 7th Monaco Ocean Week, orchestrated by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in partnership with the Monaco Government, the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre is in full swing. It is a major international event at which Yacht Club de Monaco is responsible for the yachting element, introducing for the first time this year a Day of Exploration in collaboration with The Explorers Club of New York. For this special occasion, a delegation of around a hundred Americans have made the trip to the Principality to participate in a busy programme of meetings and discussions.  

Sharing a passion for the sea 

Aboard YCM’s flagship, the 1909 gaff cutter Tuiga, and on the one design J/70s, the American delegation threw themselves into the event with a friendly race in the bay of Monaco. On the sidelines, YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi, founder of Team Malizia, and Boris Herrmann, YCM member and skipper of the IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer which will be on the start of the Vendée Globe (10th November 2024) were in town to meet children in the Sports Section and share their passion for sailing. An opportunity to remind them all how important it is to protect the oceans. 

A first: fleet of explorer yachts in the YCM Marina 

Another highlight was the inauguration of the first Explorer Dock attended by Yacht Club de Monaco’s General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri and Sir William Roseman, Executive Director of The Explorers Club. In total, seven explorer boats were moored in the YCM Marina: M/Y Prometej (45m), M/Y Santandrea (29m), S/Y NDS Evolution (26m), M/Y U Boat Navigator (24m), M/Y Beyond Capricorn (24m), M/Y Audace (46m) and M/Y King Benji (46m). This 46m yacht from the Dunya Yacht yard was officially christened in the YCM Marina to mark the occasion, attended by its architect Gregory C. Marshall who also designed M/Y Artefact, winner of the 2022 YCM Explorer Awards: “I flew to a meeting with the owner who explained what he was looking for and how he couldn’t find it to buy anywhere in the world. So I got a piece of paper and started to draw and after a few minutes he said, “that’s it”. We adjusted the sketches and it became what you see here today, which never happens!”. 

Time for discussions between explorations and innovations 

In the wake of Prince Albert I and as part of the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative, a packed programme awaits delegates on Thursday 21st March with three main events: 

• 9,00am – 5.00pm: 13th Environmental Symposium La Belle Classe Superyachts – A Day of Exploration attended by prestigious explorers like Bertrand Piccard, Victor Vescovo and Nina Lanza.
• 3.00pm: 2nd Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous attended by Mike Horn.
• 6.00pm: 4th YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts presented by HSH Prince Albert II.

13th Environmental Symposium La Belle Classe Superyachts: in collaboration with The Explorers Club of New York 

This day is organised in collaboration with The Explorers Club which maintains close ties with the Principality. “The Club shares a rich history with Monaco,” said Richard Garriott, President of The Explorers Club. “Generations of the House of Grimaldi have been members of the Club and flown its flag in the field during expeditions and won its highest distinctions. Our members may have walked on the moon and the summit of Mount Everest, but our roots are firmly anchored in the ocean”.  

4th YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts: owners in the spotlight 

The day concludes with the YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts. Organised under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II, since 2019 it has been awarding owners who stand out for their commitment to protecting the marine environment, be it in the design of their yacht or how they use it. Awarded by a jury of professionals, there are four awards: Technology & Innovation, Science & Discovery, Adventure & Environmental Ethics and a special ‘Coup de Cœur prize. They are a way of promoting men and women who are true explorers, perpetuating YCM’s fundamental Art de Vivre la Mer values. 

Ongoing quest for sustainable solutions with the 2nd Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous (21-22 March) 

Following the success of the first three editions of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (4th edition 22-23 September 2024), Monegasque consultancy experts, M3 (Monaco Marina Management), continues its quest to promote sustainable solutions for the luxury yachting sector by organising the 2nd Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous.  

Organised in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the event gathers innovation experts, architects and yachting enthusiasts from all over the world. It is positioned as a unique platform promoting collaboration and the discovery of smart sustainable technologies that will shape the sector’s future. Delegates can find out more about the 40-plus startups and scaleups that are listed in an E-Catalogue and in the exhibition area  

After workshops chaired by David Seal and presentations by shipyards, naval architects and designers, the event continues the next day with a focus on two key points of discussion: 

• How environmental, economic and functional factors are determining yachting’s energy transition. The transition to more sustainable practices will be analysed through the lens of three interconnected areas to provide in-depth insight into the challenges and opportunities that are emerging. 

• Creating synergy between construction and refit yards through a collaborative approach. How can these key industry players join forces to drive efficiency, sustainability and innovation in yacht design and maintenance? This question will be at the heart of exchanges with case studies, expert testimonies and concrete collaboration proposals.  

Yachting industry regulations and incentives will also be under the microscope. How can regulatory authorities, industry professionals and yacht owners work together to create an environment that favours innovation while meeting safety and sustainability standards? Experts will share their opinions on best practices, regulatory changes and the incentives required to stimulate positive transformation. 

The event concludes with the presentation of a Smart Innovative Yacht Award giving public recognition to the most intelligent and eco-responsible solution in two categories (startups and scaleups).  

It is through all these initiatives that Yacht Club de Monaco intends to chart a course towards a sustainable future and maintain the Principality’s position as a leader, by supporting the industry in its transition and understanding the challenges to come. 

Press contacts: Yacht Club de Monaco – Tel: +377 93 10 64 09 – Email: presse@ycm.org