The Yacht Club de Monaco has once again placed itself at the heart of global yachting with the 5th edition of the YCM Explorer Awards, held under the presidency of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II during the 34th Monaco Yacht Show. The event recognised projects that embody a forward-looking vision of yachting, combining technology, science, and environmental stewardship.
As part of the wider initiative Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting, the Club welcomed 64 owners of yachts over 40 metres flying the YCM flag for the traditional armateurs’ lunch. Together, their fleet stretches an impressive 2,344 linear metres, underscoring Monaco’s influence on the world stage.
The awards ceremony highlighted how yachting can be more than leisure. “With this ceremony, we want to demonstrate that yachting can be an agent of change,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the YCM. Richard Wiese, president of the jury and head of The Explorers Club of New York, echoed the sentiment, praising Monaco as “the undisputed capital of innovation, superyachts, and avant-garde vision.”
Two projects stood out among the 2025 laureates. The Technology & Innovation award went to M/Y Valor, a 79.5-metre Feadship delivered this year. Equipped with hybrid propulsion, a silent operational system, and fuelled by HVO biofuels, the yacht boasts 5.34 megawatts of onboard electricity, positioning it among the world’s most sustainable vessels. Its owner, David McNeil, described the recognition as a moving milestone in advancing yachting’s energy transition.
The Environment & Ethics award was presented to S/Y Cat Art Explorer, a 46.5-metre aluminium catamaran built by Perini Navi. Conceived as a floating museum, it combines art, science, and exploration, while running on renewable energy generated by photovoltaic panels. “Many people are involved: this award belongs to all of them,” said Captain Olivier Gamberini.
The YCM also reaffirmed its long-term commitment by offering all participants access to the SEA Index®, a tool designed to measure the environmental impact of yachts, helping to guide owners towards greater sustainability.
With the winning projects set to be showcased at Monaco Ocean Week, the awards send a clear message: the future of yachting lies in balancing innovation, exploration, and responsibility for the oceans.
