The superyacht industry is changing fast, and training centres are starting to focus on much more than just sailing ships. The Yacht Club de Monaco’s training school, La Belle Classe Academy, is running a nine-week online masterclass to teach people about the business and legal sides of luxury yachts.
Taking place from 16th September to 14th November, the digital course is designed so people with busy jobs can join without having to travel. It covers a wide range of topics, including how ships are designed, maritime laws, insurance policies, and how chartering works.
Looking at the big picture
When La Belle Classe Academy was first set up in 2015, its main goal was to raise service standards and teach traditional maritime manners. But this new course is attracting a very different crowd.
Instead of just training people who work on boats, the classes draw a big mix of students. There are experienced marine professionals who want to learn new skills, yacht crew members who are planning to move to office jobs on land, and financial experts – like private bankers and corporate lawyers – who handle money for wealthy clients buying yachts. By looking at a yacht’s entire life from start to finish, from the day it is built to its legal paperwork and daily operations, the course tries to connect the worlds of boating and business.
A growing need for training
As superyachts get bigger and international rules get stricter, managing them requires a lot more than just sailing knowledge. Courses like this show how the modern yachting world is maturing.
To help young people break into the sector, the club is also planning a ‘Yachting Student Fair’ in March 2027 to connect job seekers with industry experts. Combined with other events like their annual superyacht chef competitions, these efforts are all part of a bigger plan by Monaco to position itself as the main business hub for the global luxury yachting community.
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Photo credit: Mesi BD