All the Highlights from Monaco Ocean Week 2023

Each year at the 6th Monaco Ocean Week, an initiative supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Yacht Club de Monaco is entrusted with the yachting component. A packed agenda was on offer on day one, with the 12th Environmental Symposium, 27th Captains’ Forum and 3rd YCM Explorers Awards. The YCM also hosted the first Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous, which was opened by HSH Prince Albert II.

“As part of our public service remit, Yacht Club de Monaco intends to be a key player in the environmental transition as a platform for communication and exchange for the yachting industry,” says general secretary Bernard d'Alessandri. “All of these meetings are part of our collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting approach.”

YCM Explorer Awards

A highlight of the show was the YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts, destined for owners who stand out for their commitment to protecting the marine environment, be it in the design of their yacht or what they do with it. The ceremony was attended by HSH Prince Albert II, who said: “I hope we can continue to work together to protect the planet for future generations. We must continue to be fascinated by and testify to what nature and the ocean has to offer us, while preserving them."

Four prizes, awarded by a professional jury, were presented to men and women who, as true innovators, have perpetuated the philosophy of "Art de Vivre la Mer", with the Sunreef 80 Eco Marie-Joseph recognized as the best in the Technology and Innovation category. It impressed the jury with its many eco-friendly features, including "solar skin" solar panels, a hydro-generation system, and high-efficiency batteries. The award was received by Sunreef Yachts founder and president Francis Lapp. 

12^th Environmental Symposium

The theme of this 12th symposium was ‘how to encourage sustainability in yachting by involving the sector and next generation of engineers, focusing on the upcoming 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July 2023) and aiming to promote more responsible yachting through alternative energies, innovation and collaboration.  

27th Captains’ Forum

YCM gave the floor to captains at the 27th Captains’ Forum, which focused on ‘Superyacht Commitment: Management, Leadership & Mentoring’. 

The event was one of the activities organised for the YCM Captains’ Club which gathers 150 captains with the 3000 certificate, working on superyachts flying the YCM flag. Given their key role, this was a chance for captains to exchange views and contribute to developing the future of yachting.

1^st Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous

As part of the collective initiative ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’, the Yacht Club de Monaco hosted the 1st Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous, organised by Monaco Marina Management. This event echoes the success of the first two editions of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, with the next edition taking place between 24 & 25 September 2023.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was keen to meet the 50 startups, scaleups and corporates as well as the +20 shipyards, architects and designers, who came to present their innovative solutions adaptable to superyachts.

With the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Credit Suisse, MB92 Group, Wider Yachts, the Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous was dedicated to the yachting industry (vessels over 24m) and to innovative companies wishing to provide a collective response to climate change issues. 

The Smart Innovative Yacht Awards concluded the two-day event and rewarded the most intelligent and eco-responsible solutions in each category:

• Startup - NLcomp (Italy) 

• Scaleup - Lineat Composites (UK) 

• Corporate - Wisamo (France)