Ten Years of ECOMER & Yachts du Coeur

This year ECOMER is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The yachting non-profit association was founded in Cannes in 2009 by Jean-Luc Annone. Its guiding principles are care for the environment and solidarity with communities, resulting in a circular, sustainable approach to aid.

At the 23 Yachts du Coeur drives organised by ECOMER since 2009, superyachts, crew and industry members have donated food, clothes and linen that would otherwise have gone to waste. In the last decade, donations collected from superyacht crews have risen from 1m3 a month, to an average of 10-15 m3 per month. Beginning in Cannes, the initiative has since spread across the Cote d'Azur, to Palma de Mallorca, Viareggio and Miami.

The enthusiasm and support of the yachting industry is something to celebrate. ECOMER now counts on a network of 50 superyachts that it works with directly, and the support of yacht crew is growing all the time. Yachts can get in touch to donate their surpluses.

Thanks to this support, ECOMER was able to show the solidarity of the yachting industry with disaster-struck communities in 2018 by delivering donations on its partner superyachts. Three deliveries were made to Caribbean islands devastated by the hurricanes, including a large shipment of medicine, tools, building supplies, hygiene products and generators to Barbuda on M/Y Slipstream.

In 2018, ECOMER also sent containers of supplies to Cameroon and to Manila, Philippines.

A human chain at a Yachts du Coeur event in Antibes. Image: Yachts du Coeur

ECOMER donates as often as it can to organisations helping local populations on the French Riviera including Caritas, the Red Cross and food banks. In light of a shocking but persistent increase in poverty in Cannes, one of France's wealthiest cities, ECOMER has decided to focus its attention on serving this local community in 2019.

In Cannes, almost 1 person out of every 5 (19%) lives below the poverty line. Struggling to respond to the rising need, Cannes Red Cross appealed directly to ECOMER for help supporting the many families using their services.

In the past ten years, ECOMER has collected and distributed 23 tons of food and drink to associations supporting people in need, the equivalent of 46,000 meals. With the deeply appreciated support of the superyacht industry, this figure can continue to grow.

ECOMER remains dedicated to protecting the marine environment and in 2018 created a Marine Quality Charter co-signed by the Mayor of Cannes's office. The Charter's ten commandments can be read on ECOMER's website here. 

ECOMER's 10th Anniversary Party

Saturday 19 October, Port Vauban, Antibes

9.00 - 18.00: ECOMER's yacht hold sale. To book a 5m space to sell your yacht surpluses call +33 684 768 453 or email info@eco-mer.org

11.30: Traditional chain of the Yachts of the Heart accompanied by the bagpipes and tambourines of the association AMMAC Cannes Pays de Lérins

12.00: Drinks

18.00: ECOMER's 10th birthday party

Links

ECOMER
Yachts du Coeur
ECOMER Magazine June 2019

 

*Thumbnail image: Jean-Luc Annone, President of ECOMER