Entre héritage maritime et nouvelles ambitions

At the traditional induction cocktail reception, attended by Club President HSH Prince Albert II and members of the Management Committee, the extended Yacht Club de Monaco family (2,500 members, 82 nationalities) formally welcomed around 30 new members on Thursday evening. This annual event is a highlight in the life of the Club. It was an opportunity for the Sovereign to talk about major projects underway in the coming months, including the American campaign being undertaken by Tuiga (1909) and Viola (1908), the international expansion of the SEA Index®, new training modules introduced by La Belle Classe Academy, and preparations for the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. All these initiatives are to raise Monaco’s profile, pass on maritime expertise, and support yachting’s environmental transition.

Faire rayonner Monaco sur toutes les mers

“The Yacht Club of Monaco is deeply rooted in our country. But its vocation is resolutely international,” said the Sovereign. It is an ambition which is in the spotlight this summer with an exceptional roadshow along the United States East Coast. To mark the July 4th festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence, the YCM’s flagship Tuiga (1909) and Viola (1908) will be in New York to represent the Club at Sail4th 250, a grand maritime parade featuring 50 tall ships from some 20 nations. Their journey then continues from yacht club to yacht club along the American East Coast to Newport and Nantucket. It is a landmark campaign that illustrates the Club’s role as an ambassador for Monaco’s maritime heritage and expertise, going far beyond the Principality’s borders. The Club’s international outlook is also reflected in major events taking place this summer, such as the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. From 8 to 11 July, the event will host 52 teams representing 21 nations. Students, researchers, engineers, industry professionals and shipyards from around the world will gather to test, share and compare their solutions for new propulsion systems. Since its inception in 2014, more than 6,500 students from around 50 universities have taken part in the event, which has become a true laboratory for sharing knowledge and innovation applicable to the maritime sector.

Passing on knowledge to prepare for the future

Another priority highlighted by the Club President is transmission. “No ambition has meaning unless it is passed on,” he stated. Through its La Belle Classe Academy training centre, the Sports Section and other educational initiatives, YCM continues its commitment to training the generations that will shape the future of yachting. Established in 2015, La Belle Classe Academy has become an international benchmark for professional training in the sector. Its Yachting Masterclass diploma is now recognised by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), while several technical courses are certified by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). This approach also extends to younger people through its Summer Yachting Camp for 16 to 22 year-olds with no prior experience required. Over the course of one or two weeks, participants learn to pilot motorboats and jet skis and gain skills in first aid, weather forecasting, knot-tying, and maritime safety, alongside various recreational water activities. Supervised by professionals, they acquire practical skills and recognised certifications, such as the RYA Powerboat Level 2 or RYA Personal Watercraft. Yachting careers will again be promoted to young people on 13 March 2027 at the YCM Yachting Student Fair that offers a comprehensive overview of professions in the sector.

Supporting the yachting industry's transformation through innovation

In response to environmental and technology challenges, YCM remains committed to more responsible yachting, exemplified by the SEA Index®. This environmental benchmark was established in 2020 by YCM and Credit Suisse (a UBS Group brand) to measure and highlight the environmental performance of yachts. 2026 marks a significant milestone in its international rollout, with the Port of Marseille Fos joining the network, and implementation at Pampelonne of the first operational system to offer environmental incentives for anchoring. Building on this momentum, HSH Prince Albert II announced a major new development for the SEA Index® which is expanding its methodology to include vessels from 10 metres, as well as catamarans. “This advance is decisive. It widens our scope and, while preserving an independent methodological rigour, it now opens to the great majority of the world’s fleet,” the Sovereign added.

A community looking to the future

Before concluding, the Club President paid tribute to the 10th anniversary of Team Malizia, founded by YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi. Over the past decade, the team has established itself as a major player in offshore racing, demonstrating that it is possible to combine sporting performance, technological innovation and environmental awareness. Quoting William Butler Yeats, “in dreams begins responsibility”, HSH Prince Albert II called on members to continue on this path together: “Individually, we inspire. Collectively, we build a future: one that serves young people, the sea, and the global standing of the Principality”.

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