On the occasion of World Maritime Day, under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) welcomed over 115 superyacht captains, representing a combined fleet length of nearly 5,000 metres, for the 29th Captains’ Forum.
Created in 2007 and hosted by the YCM Captains’ Club, the Forum once again proved to be a vital platform for captains and industry leaders to shape the future of yachting. This year’s theme, “Leading Today, Ahead of Tomorrow,” placed emphasis on professional development, crew culture, and sustainability as the foundations for a resilient and innovative industry.
Vision and Anticipation at the Forefront
Opening the Forum, Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary and President of Cluster Yachting Monaco, reminded participants of YCM’s mission to anticipate key industry challenges and unite the yachting community:
“Our sector is evolving rapidly. We have launched many initiatives to promote eco-responsible yachting, and YCM is the ideal platform to bring together those committed to this cause.”
Two panel sessions structured the day’s discussions: “Beyond Compliance: The Power of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)” and “Ecological Strategies to Increase Yacht Value: Empowering Captains to Stay Ahead of the Fleet.”
Training, Anticipation, Innovation
The first session, chaired by Steve Monk (Director, Da Gama Maritime), underscored that STCW mandatory training is only a starting point. Speakers called for a culture of lifelong learning on board, encouraging every crew member to share knowledge and adapt to new challenges.
Highlights included:
- Chris Andreason (Edmiston) advocating for viewing training as a strategic investment that reduces accidents and improves retention.
- Tracey Santrian (BZ Maritime Leadership) and Lynne Edwards (Phoenix Superyacht Training) stressing the need for training beyond regulatory requirements, especially for hospitality and leadership roles.
- Chris Frisby (UKSA) highlighting the importance of mentoring and clear career pathways for the next generation.
- James Brooke (YCM La Belle Classe Academy) reminding attendees that “at the heart of performance, there is training.”
One captain’s candid remarks on the challenge of persuading owners to allocate time for crew training drew enthusiastic applause, underlining that professional development is not just technical — it’s cultural and governance-driven.
Sustainability: A Core Value Driver
The second session, moderated by Neity Maddock, explored how sustainability now directly impacts yacht valuation and market appeal.
- Txema Rubio (MB92) urged captains to prepare proactively for incoming regulations, while
- Nicolas Mior (Jutheau Husson Yachting) confirmed insurers are already rewarding low-emission vessels with better premiums.
- Captain Pierre Makdessi highlighted the importance of careful certification and shared examples of fuel savings through material innovation and propulsion optimization.
- Eleonora Pitasso (Bijin Yachting Ltd) emphasized that sustainability extends beyond propulsion, calling for more focus on materials, insulation, and noise reduction.
Representing yacht owner Matthew Sawyer, Richard McKee praised the SEA Index®, developed by YCM and Credit Suisse in 2020, for providing practical, clear guidance on improving energy efficiency.
Looking Ahead
The Forum concluded with a call to action: captains, owners, and industry players must collaborate to embed CPD and sustainability into daily operations and refit planning. As Bernard d’Alessandri summarised, the YCM remains committed to being a catalyst for change, helping the yachting industry anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and seize new opportunities.
The conversation continues on 14 October, with a SEA Index® workshop dedicated to practical solutions for reducing the environmental footprint of superyachts.
