Presented by The Superyacht Life Foundation in collaboration with the Monaco Yacht Show, The Honours aims to spotlight those who have significantly influenced or propelled the superyachting industry and society towards a more conscientious, sustainable, and compassionate future

Words Reyhaan Day

What screams luxury louder than a superyacht? You would be forgiven for thinking that the industry is all about money, competition and glamorous destinations; and while those are aspects to the world of superyachting, there is an increasing number of individuals and initiatives that are changing the relationship superyacht captains, owners and organisations have with the world around them. 

Ahead of the upcoming Superyacht Life Foundation Honours ceremony later this month, which celebrates individuals who have significantly influenced or propelled the industry and wider society towards a more conscientious, sustainable and compassionate future, we spoke to the three industry experts who were recipients of The Honours’ prestigious Bowsprit award last year. 

Wendy Schmidt

Though arriving at a love of sailing later in life, Wendy Schmidt has become one of the industry’s leading voices. Schmidt is a passionate racer, having co-founded 11th Hour Racing, which sustainably designed and built a race boat that won their category of The Ocean Race 2022-2023, which her organisation also sponsors – and she recently became the first female and first American to win the Barcolana race; while as president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, with its ethos of working to restore a balanced relationship between people and planet with projects that include furthering renewable energy, resilient food systems, healthy oceans and human rights – and as founder of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which aims to advance our understanding of the ocean through oceanographic research, Schmidt is helping to bring huge developments to the industry.

What galvanised your dedication to caring for the ocean, and is it validating to be recognised for your work and seeing your work make a real difference?
The ocean is essential to all life on this planet. It provides food and jobs for billions of people worldwide; it’s the main source of protein for three billion people; regulates the weather; absorbs carbon; and provides half of the oxygen in the air we breathe. The ocean has been under attack, and it's time to recognise the impact of our actions on land on the health of the ocean. Over the past 18 years of our philanthropy – from our work in advancing clean energy and regenerative agriculture to championing sustainability in sailing, all against the backdrop of human rights – we've made progress in raising awareness and encouraging people to take action toward restoring the health of our oceans. But we have more work to do.

What projects are you particularly passionate about?
Our Schmidt Ocean Institute is continuing to explore our planet's oceans. On each expedition, we discover something new. In just the past year, we've discovered seamounts more than two miles high, more than 100 new species, even an entire ecosystem under the sea floor. We livestream our dives on YouTube so you can watch along with scientists aboard our research vessel as they explore the deep sea with our underwater robot. I remember watching one dive that explored an active octopus nursery and we watched live as octopus hatchlings emerged from their shells. I can't wait to see what we'll discover on upcoming expeditions. Our plan is to explore all seven ocean basins in the next decade.”

How important are research initiatives in terms of helping to create better and more effective conversations about sustainability and ocean conservation?
We've only explored 30 per cent of our oceans. Schmidt Ocean Institute is participating in a global initiative called Seabed 2030 to fully map our planet's oceans by the end of this decade. We can't understand something we can't see, and we can't protect something we don't understand. So there is a great need to fully explore our oceans. The more we look, the more we see. We're discovering new species, ecosystems and underwater formations that we didn't know existed.”

Do you feel hopeful about the future of the industry, and also about the state of our oceans?
We have the ability to protect and restore ocean health through our actions by adopting sustainable practices in all we do at home, at work, at play. It takes time, thought and effort – but we can do it if we work together. The future of our planet – and humanity – depends on it.

Zoran Selakovi

A former yacht captain, Zoran Selakovic is now director at YachtAid Global, which provides large-scale disaster relief as well as leading scientific, humanitarian and conservation projects around the world. It was while working as a yacht skipper and seeing friends’ lives changed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 that Selakovic’s interest was turned to galvanising the yachting community to help communities affected by natural disasters and wider initiatives to help look after the planet.

You have stated that the superyacht industry can be much more than just about consumerism, and can be a force for good – your work with YachtAid Global exemplifies this, with initiatives spearheading disaster relief, ocean conservation and supporting coastal communities. How do you continue to change the wider perception of the industry?
The change happens as results continue to accumulate and multiply. As the greater number of yachts decides to join in and do good, the change naturally occurs. Initially, the change was minimal; however, in recent years we've seen a greater degree of awareness and focus on being engaged – recognising that the sustainability of yachting depends on both the health of oceans and the wellbeing of destination communities. We're all connected, and the yachting industry is positioned well to turn this connection into a force for good.

In your time with YachtAid Global, what projects have held the most importance for you in terms of the difference they have made? 
This is a tough one – because each initiative is worthwhile and impactful, making a significant difference for people or the ocean. If I had to pick – disaster relief operations in the immediate aftermath of hurricane Dorian across the Bahamas, when superyachts were first responders and among the first at ground zero; rebuilding & reallocations of communities across Fiji as part of climate change adaptation after impacts by cyclones; and shark conservation work in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (spanning the Galapagos, Malpelo, Cocos, and Revillagigedo) resulting in expansion of regional marine parks.

What initiatives that YachtAid Global are running currently or upcoming are you most excited about? 
Shark conservation in the Caribbean is particularly interesting. We are running the largest telemetry study in the wider Caribbean region with the goal to map out major aggregation sites and migratory patterns for migratory sharks (tigers, silkies and the like). We are also very excited about finishing up building a family and children's home for those experiencing medical crises in Baja, Mexico; and expanding schools in Costa Rica, where we have been constructing classrooms and libraries for local communities.

How did it feel to be recognised at the Superyacht Life Foundation Honours 2023 for your work in the industry? 
What we do is a true team sport. Collaboration is everything. To draw an analogy, it's like playing volleyball – you're nobody and nothing alone, you can only touch the ball once. To win, you have to have incredible teamwork in place. So receiving the award was a nice recognition for the work that we all do – from participating yachts, crew and owners to the core team and many others in their respective supporting roles. Truly, I stand on the shoulders of the giants.

Jenny Matthews

New Zealander Jenny Matthews has tirelessly worked to encourage more diversity within the world of yachting. Alongside pursuing her goal to become a superyacht captain, Matthews founded She of the Sea – a platform and community for female deck crew and engineers to share knowledge, inspire the next generation of talent and help create opportunities; as well as Legasea, alongside female first officer Natasha Ambrose: an organisation that focuses on social impact beyond gender, with initiatives that put the spotlight on sustainability, diversity on a wider scale, recruitment and mentorship.

How did it feel to be recognised for the work you're doing in the world of yachting?
On one hand, being personally recognised for She of the Sea and Legasea’s impact within our industry feels slightly uncomfortable, as I had always intended to stay somewhat in the background! When I started She of the Sea, I had originally intended it to be a faceless organisation, self-run by the growing community; however, soon after its inception it became clear that a face and voice was necessary to connect people to the topics and messages. On the other hand, seeing the huge ripple effects, flourishing community of women and supporters and the slow but steady shift of the needle – for this to be recognised is endlessly inspiring and a testament to the many individuals that make up this community.”

She of the Sea has opened up a lot of conversations about positive change in the industry; what have been some of the biggest successes you've overseen and what are some of the challenges that you are increasingly focusing on?
I would say the biggest successes I’ve witnessed since 2018 are seeing the careers of the women who were part of the birth of the platform bloom and evolve, breaking barriers with so much passion and grace and professional vigour, and to be part of that journey. They do it because they love their jobs and their communities, not to prove a point but to live their passions; by doing this they represent the true heart of the platform. They inspire the next generation just by doing what they love and sharing their knowledge.

The WhatsApp groups we have bring the next generation shoulder to shoulder with these incredible women and at times it can make me emotional thinking about what that would have meant to me as a young decky – to be able to feel connected, seen and supported by these women.

There are many challenges that still exist, and while the end goal is for the platform to not have to exist, we still have a long way to go. However, when I look at the women, and the broad spectrum of supporters at sea and ashore, I feel endlessly proud to be part of this movement, and have no doubt there will be a time in the future when we can all look back and say that we were a part of something that matters.

What are you most looking forward to this year in the world of superyachts?
While our community groups continue to flourish and impact those directly involved in our community, Natasha and I have taken the opportunity this year to invest in our personal careers ashore and at sea. We see this as an important part of our journeys and of that of the platforms as ironically our passions for our careers are what birthed She of the Sea and Legasea in the first place. For myself, that looks like my journey to Master at sea and for Natasha, her path ashore in yacht management and crew development. We intend to revisit our large scale programmes in the near future utilising the skills and experience we are developing in these roles.

The 2024 Honours ceremony takes place on September 24, preceding the Monaco Yacht Show.

Monaco Yacht Show: sustainability and design

As sustainability becomes an intrinsic element of yacht creation, the Monaco Yacht Show (September 25-28) will see the return of the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, where 16 acclaimed designers will unveil their most imaginative and innovative yacht projects, each addressing the challenge of minimising environmental impact.

Visitors will experience a glimpse into the future of yachting, where transformative advancements and visionary design come to life. The hub features cutting-edge engineering and pioneering, energy-efficient technologies that blend environmental responsibility with unparalleled luxury, setting new benchmarks in design, performance and navigation.

For the second consecutive year, Van Berge Henegouwen (VBH) will present the MYS immersive experience. Attendees will have the chance to explore a 3D environment featuring some of the most innovative yacht designs on high-definition LED screens.

Visitors can navigate through different rooms, interact with each space and gain insights into the future of yacht design as designers address key issues and explore how the yachting industry is working to reduce its carbon footprint while balancing client expectations and societal responsibilities.