In a deeply symbolic ceremony just ahead of World Oceans Day, Malizia Explorer—the new scientific research sailboat from Team Malizia—was officially christened at the Yacht Club de Monaco by legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle, in the presence of Prince Albert II and a distinguished gathering of ocean advocates.
On 6th June, Malizia Explorer was welcomed into the Principality’s fleet with a traditional blessing by Father Christian Venard and the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle. The 26-metre aluminium vessel joins Team Malizia’s fleet with a singular mission: to support cutting-edge ocean research, especially in the planet’s most remote and vulnerable polar regions.
“This vessel is a superb logistics platform available to scientists,” said Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Yacht Club de Monaco and co-founder of Team Malizia. “It reflects the team’s DNA—built on competition and environmental protection.”
The vessel received its 4-Star Sea Index environmental certification during the ceremony, awarded by the Yacht Club’s President, Prince Albert II. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the boat is expected to play a vital role in collecting data from uncharted marine regions, reinforcing Monaco’s global leadership in ocean conservation.
A godmother with a global legacy
The christening was led by Dr Sylvia Earle, the 89-year-old American marine biologist and explorer who has long championed the protection of the ocean’s most fragile ecosystems. “This sailboat symbolises new hope,” said Earle. “It combines the ancient wisdom of sailing with the modern tools of science. It may be our last chance to reverse the trajectory of decline and put our blue planet back on the path to regeneration.”
Among the 80 guests were Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, students from the Principality, and young sailors from the Yacht Club, reinforcing the event’s educational and multigenerational message.
At sea for science
Launched in Lorient earlier this year, Malizia Explorer is purpose-built for research missions in polar and tropical zones. With space for four crew and up to eight scientists, it is equipped with sophisticated instruments such as an Ocean Pack system for continuous climate data collection, a CTD rosette for deep-sea sampling, and a suite of advanced sensors being installed in partnership with scientific institutions.
The vessel will support long-term missions in collaboration with partners including AWI, GEOMAR, OceanOPS, Hereon, the Swiss Polar Institute, and Reederei F. Laeisz. Its five-year itinerary includes the Mediterranean, Antarctica and the Arctic, with its first post-launch activity being participation in the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) parade in Nice.
Bridging exploration, education and climate advocacy
“The christening of this boat in Monaco marks an important milestone in uniting sailors, scientists and creatives to give the ocean a voice,” said Boris Herrmann, skipper and co-founder of Team Malizia. “This research vessel is a natural evolution of our climate mission. It allows us to collect vital data and communicate the urgent story of ocean health on a global scale.”
With Malizia Explorer, Team Malizia expands its ‘A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now’ programme from ocean racing to hands-on research. It is a powerful embodiment of Monaco’s longstanding tradition at the intersection of exploration, science and environmental leadership.
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Photo source: YCM