The Yacht Club de Monaco has once again honoured innovation and ocean advocacy at the 5th edition of the La Belle Classe Explorer Awards. Presented under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II, the awards mark a defining moment in Monaco’s commitment to yachting with purpose, recognising vessels that push boundaries not only in design, but in their dedication to science, sustainability and the public good.
The prestigious awards ceremony took place during the 34th Monaco Yacht Show, where Yacht Club de Monaco hosted its annual Owners Lunch, welcoming 64 superyacht owners flying the YCM flag. The gathering, representing over 2,300 linear metres of yachts, was a striking show of Monaco’s influence in the global yachting scene and a fitting backdrop for the announcement of this year’s award recipients.
YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri opened the ceremony with the message: “With this ceremony, we want to demonstrate that yachting can be an agent of change.”
The awards aim to recognise yachts not just as symbols of luxury, but as platforms for exploration, science, and storytelling.
Technology & Innovation Award: M/Y Valor
Feadship’s newly delivered 79.5-metre Valor was recognised for its bold commitment to sustainable propulsion. The yacht features hybrid systems, silent operation technology, and an advanced battery bank—despite challenges surrounding weight and recycling—placing it among the most eco-conscious yachts on the water today.
“We have 5.34MW of electrical energy on board, which makes it one of the most eco-friendly yachts on the planet,” said owner David McNeil. The yacht also runs on HVO biofuel, underlining its ambitious approach to decarbonisation. “It’s incredible, and we are very honoured to be here at the YCM,” he added.
Environment & Ethics Award: S/Y Cat Art Explorer
In the Environment and Ethics category, the 46.5-metre aluminium catamaran Cat Art Explorer, built by Perini Navi, impressed the jury with its unique blend of art, science and environmental education. Billed as a “floating museum”, the vessel raises awareness across the Mediterranean, linking culture with conservation.
With renewable energy drawn from photovoltaic panels and the ability to cross oceans, Cat Art Explorer sets a new standard in purpose-driven sailing. “We are indeed promoting art around the Mediterranean,” said Captain Olivier Gamberini. “It’s a large-scale project, and I am very happy to be here representing them all.”
Steering yachting toward a better future
The international jury, chaired by Richard Wiese of The Explorers Club in New York, included specialists in innovation, marine science, and environmental strategy. Wiese praised Monaco not only as a capital of design and superyachts, but as “a community of people driven by a nobility of purpose.”
In line with this vision, YCM will continue to spotlight these projects during Monaco Ocean Week 2026. All participating yachts in this year’s awards were also invited to adopt the SEA Index, a tool developed by the Club to measure and reduce environmental impact.
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Main photo: Princess Camilla de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles; Olivier Gamberini, Captain of S/Y Cat Art Explorer, winner of the Environment and Ethics Award; and Richard Wiese.