Yacht Class n°45 (june-july-august 2026)
Under the presidency of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco awarded its Explorer Awards last March during a ceremony marking the conclusion of the inaugural Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous, organised in collaboration with The Explorers Club. Twelve vessels of varied profiles were honoured for their commitment to exploration, scientific research, and the reduction of environmental impact.
Written by : Anaïs Riu – Photos : Yacht Club de Monaco
The legacy of Prince Albert I
At the beginning of the evening, the Sovereign recalled the historical dimension of the event: “This vocation is rooted in the legacy of my great-great-grandfather, Prince Albert I, for whom scientific exploration was a priority in the service of ocean conservation.” A lineage that lends these Awards a rare depth within the sector.
Innovation and plastics : two committed laureates
The Innovation & Technology Award was presented to the MODX70 S/Cat Ganany, a low-impact catamaran hosting scientists and collecting marine data. “Sailing without fossil fuels is possible. Solutions do exist,” states Franck David, President of MODX Catamarans. The Science & Discovery Award went to the M/V Plastic Odyssey, which, after a global voyage from Africa to Asia, combines open-source research with practical solutions to plastic pollution. “We began this adventure at the Yacht Club de Monaco,” recalls her owner Simon Bernard.
Le The SEA Index, a benchmark for responsible yachting
Five yachts received their SEA Index certification, the carbon intensity index created by the Yacht Club de Monaco and UBS, confirming the growing appetite within the international community for practical assessment tools. The M/Y Be Mine also received the Jury’s Special Award for its measurable results in remote areas.“ It pushed us to go further and improve this old lady so that she would become a truly fine yacht,” said her captain, Philippe Heisig. The conclusion drawn from these Awards is clear: a vessel can also serve to explore, to understand, to experiment, and to transmit.
