Fête de la Mer

There was a record attendance on the quays at this year’s Fête de la Mer organised on Saturday by Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with all the nautical related Monegasque institutions including the Pontons de Monaco association, Société Nautique de Monaco (rowing club), Monaco City Hall, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the government, SEPM (port authority), Oceanographic Institute, Roca Jet Club de Monaco, Centre de Sauvetage Aquatique et Plongée de Monaco (scuba diving for kids) and Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco (scuba diving).

A festive sociable summer festival for all the family that brought together over 600 people to discover a host of water sports and activities available in the Principality.

 

 

Grand Parade: maritime tradition in the spotlight

Over 30 craft from sailing to motor and rowing boats gathered in the bay for the parade. After a blessing at sea by Monseigneur René Giuliano that paid homage to all sailors lost at sea the fleet set off from the Oceanographic Museum for the parade, led by Argynne III, a 14m Marconi classic yacht generously donated to the Club by YCM member Philippe Ortelli. After heading for Larvotto, the parade rounded a buoy to enter the main harbour, Port Hercule, as far as Sainte-Devote.

 

A day of discovery for all tastes

Throughout the day, people were turning up to have a go at activities ranging from paddle boarding to introductory scuba diving sessions, kayaking, an inflatable water toys course, E-surfing, E-Foiling and more. There was also an opportunity to find out more about maritime heritage with tours of the Argynne III, S/Y French Kiss and a Yole Ronde from Martinique, a traditional boat classified by UNESCO as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’. Having left the Caribbean at the beginning of June and after a stopover in La Rochelle, this little beauty called into Monaco especially for Fête de la Mer and was visited by Laurent Stefanini, French Ambassador in Monaco.

 

 

Raising awareness of new generation

A big attraction was a stand promoting the upcoming Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July 2023) where workshops on building model solar boats and a video game proved popular. Organised by YCM, this unique international meeting for alternative energy sources to power boats is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It brings student engineers from universities and colleges around the world into contact with yachting and energy industry players. The focus is on R&D in open source, with contests on the sea, Tech Talks and a conference which has attracted support from major players such as the shipyards Oceanco, Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Lürssen, Monaco Marine and Palumbo SY Refit.

Without a doubt, the spirit of the old Port de la Condamine lives on in the number of activities available today in the Principality, enabling young and old alike to enjoy and appreciate the sea in their own way.