Yacht Club de Monaco opens its doors to young talent: the Yachting Student Fair makes its debut

On March 21, 2026, the Yacht Club de Monaco will host the first edition of the Yachting Student Fair, an event designed to inform, inspire and guide new generations toward careers connected to the sea. The initiative is part of the strategic vision “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting” and officially opens a four-day programme, from March 21 to 24, dedicated to yachting, exploration and sustainability.

Open free of charge (online registration required) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, the fair welcomes middle-school and high-school students, university students and recent graduates, offering a concrete overview of a dynamic and international sector where technological innovation, specialist skills and a passion for the sea converge.

From technical training to management: all paths to a maritime career

Throughout the day, training institutions, maritime authorities and industry professionals will present educational pathways and career opportunities ranging from vocational qualifications to postgraduate degrees.

Among the key participants are the Marine Nationale, the École nationale supérieure maritime and the Nautical Institute Academy France, which will outline careers as naval officers and maritime engineers. Technical education will be represented by the Lycée Jacques Dolle in Antibes, presenting courses in yacht maintenance, electromechanics and marine propulsion systems.

Diving professions will also be highlighted by the École Nationale des Scaphandriers, with a focus on underwater welding, hyperbaric operations and marine archaeology.

Within the yachting sector, opportunities in yacht management, brokerage and onboard hospitality will be presented by La Belle Classe Academy, the Cluster Yachting Monaco, the Yacht Broker School, the European School of Economics and the Lycée Jeanne & Paul Augier.

Port-related careers — from marina management to technical maintenance — will be presented by the Direction des Affaires Maritimes and the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco.

Excellence in craftsmanship will be represented by Hervé Arnoul, holder of the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France title in naval model making, embodying the fusion of tradition and innovation.

Practical guidance to build a professional future

Beyond inspiration, the Yachting Student Fair offers concrete tools. The Principality’s Department of National Education will support students and families in understanding post-secondary pathways, funding opportunities and strategies for building a solid professional project.

The event encourages direct dialogue between young people, parents and industry professionals, facilitating valuable contacts for internships, apprenticeships and first work experiences.

Immersive experiences and firsthand testimonies

The fair will also offer hands-on experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to visit yachts moored in the YCM marina, including the S/Y 7Continent, and meet its owner Patrick Deixonne, founder of the Expédition 7e Continent. His journey — from Amazon expeditions to the 2009 transatlantic rowing crossing — illustrates how a career can evolve through passion and determination.

Alongside him, French explorer Luc Hardy, a member of the Société des Explorateurs Français, will share his experience in extreme environments, linking education, profession and environmental responsibility.

Four days dedicated to exploration and sustainability

The Yachting Student Fair opens a broader programme that continues with:

• March 22: an immersive day dedicated to Explorer yachts and the inauguration of the Explorer Dock

• March 23: the Day of Exploration, focused on deep-sea research and coral reefs

• March 24: the 30th Captains’ Forum, followed by technical panels on reducing onboard environmental impact, notably through the SEA Index developed by the YCM

The programme concludes with the 6th edition of the YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts, chaired by Richard Wiese, honouring projects that transform yachts into platforms for research, innovation and exploration.

By opening this programme with a day dedicated to young people, the Yacht Club de Monaco clearly affirms its vision: the future of yachting is built today, through high-quality training, the transmission of skills and a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.