Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and presided over by HSH Prince Sovereign Albert II since 1984, the Yacht Club de Monaco brings together more than 2000 members from 66 nationalities. Many of the world’s most prestigious private yachts fly the Yacht Club de Monaco’s burgee, testimony to its unique position on the international yachting scene.
“Monaco, Capital of Yachting”
As a home port and destination favoured by owners and their superyachts, head office for a number of designers and leading brokers, he Principality has always been a key Yachting destination and industry. Bringing together some of the world’s most prestigious private yachts under its burgee, notably a quarter of the world’s 100 largest superyachts, the Yacht Club de Monaco plays a key role on the international yachting scene.
Providing a true link between seamen, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s aim its to assist all industry professionals and unite all the yachting players around it “Art de Vivre la Mer”.
The Yacht Club de Monaco plays a dynamic leading role in the life of Monaco’s main port, according to its statutes and mission which are for the Club to serve as “a link between those who love the sea and the interests of tourism and promoting the Principality”. All year round the YCM hosts a wide range of sporting and social events in Port Hercule as can be seen by its programme 2018-2019.
For over 700 years the Principality of Monaco’s destiny has been firmly tied to the sea, due to the policies of its Princes. As a space of exploration, pleasure and freedom, the Mediterranean has allowed Monaco to build on its economy, industry, tourism and leisure activities.
To be a member of the Yacht Club de Monaco is above all a commitment. It is a desire to preserve a certain ethic, both on land and on the water, and to foster a respect for naval etiquette and preservation of the environment. The philosophy of the Yacht Club de Monaco is based on the need to perpetuate but also to pass on a heritage, inherited from our ancestors, to ensure that the Yacht Club remains a lively and progressive place.
One Spirit, one Team, one Club”
To become a member is to embrace a “club spirit” based on loyalty to certain rules and principles, and to disseminate this spirit as widely as possible. It is to encourage each individual’s initiatives, to favor dialogue between members, and to defend the values of solidarity and willingness to help all those who love the sea. At the same time it is to ensure yachting is encouraged in a Principality which is always on the move: these are the aims of the members of the Yacht Club de Monaco, who have perfected a certain “Art de Vivre la Mer” in their daily lives.
The YCM golden rules
- To adhere to the values of the Yacht Club de Monaco and respect naval etiquette
- To promote the Yacht Club and the Principality of Monaco on every occasion
- To actively participate in the social life of the YCM
- To respect the YCM dress code at all official events in the Club or elsewhere
- To fly the YCM flag at all times and to indicate your membership of the Club on the transom of the yacht and to affix the YCM burgee on board
- To introduce yourself to other yachts flying the club flag, whenever you arrive in a foreign port
- To indicate your membership of the YCM during regattas and to show a MON number on the main sail (available from the Services to Members desk)
- To respect other yachts in all circumstances
- To sponsor and support young members of the Club and its Sports Section
- To invite other members to share your passion for yachting
By the end of the 19th century the Principality’s reputation as an international venue for yachting events was flying high, attracting some of the biggest names in finance, industry and entertainment. The first regattas were held in the bay of Monaco in 1862, although it was not until 1888 that the “Société des Régates” was established by Prince Charles III and his son Prince Albert, affectionately known as the “Oceanographer Prince”.
With development of the internal combustion engine, the first international events for motorboats were held in 1904, and all the big sailing and motor yachts flocked to the Principality to be part of these historic gatherings. Within a few years, Monaco had become the centre of the world when it came to innovation and fashionable water sports.
On 19 May 1953, Prince Rainier III of Monaco founded the Yacht Club de Monaco. It was a natural evolution for the “Société des Régates”, with the aim being “to develop, encourage, and serve the promotion of the Principality in the Yachting sector”. That is still the case today, as it was in 1984, when H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco agreed to be its President.
In April 1984, when H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco agreed to be its President, he developed the sporting side of the YCM, therefore reinforcing the existing youth regatta competitors educating structure, particularly its light sailing section and by creating new international events.
And so from the first year of its presidency, will be organized: The Primo Cup which stood out as the biggest gathering of monotype yachts in the Mediterranean Sea, the transatlatic Monaco – New York always memorable with the cooperation of the Monaco crew Biotonus-YCM, and the Formula 40 ‘ Grand Prix.
Persuaded that the reading of past is a key for the construction of the future, H.S.H. Prince Albert II also put the emphasis on classic Yachting with the organization from 1994 of the Monaco Classic Week, the creation and coordination during five years of a unique circuit for vintage and classic yachts, the Prada Challenge for Classic Yachts, without forgetting the acquisition of Tuiga in 1995, since becoming the flagship of the YCM. More recently, it is also under its impulse, was launched in 2005 the “La Belle Classe” label, which federates ship owners around a Charter, defending essential values: respect for the etiquette, safeguard of the environment, preservation of our heritage for classic yachts and innovation for luxury yachting.
_______________________________________________________________
Easier travel thanks to The Wanderlure
