Friday, August 2, 2024 The ‘Yachting Masterclass,’ an intensive course held at Yacht Club de Monaco’s La Belle Classe Academy, offers a comprehensive education on superyacht professions. On Saturday, 27th July, 25 participants graduated from the Yachting Masterclass program at the Yacht Club de Monaco after three rigorous months of training. “Thanks to this course, I’ve already secured my first job in the yachting industry and can confidently apply my knowledge,” says Niamh Murphy, a yachting sales and charter assistant who also won a study grant provided annually as part of the Masterclass.
This course garners recognition for newcomers who gain extensive expertise from numerous industry professionals, including program director Marcela de Kern Royer, Captain Chris Andreason, Tanguy Ducros (Monaco Marine), Ralph D’azert (Superyacht Times), Tijmen Bergsma (Van Oossanen), Alex Hardy (Lateral), Marsha Van Buitenen (Feadship), Richard Hein (Thea Group), Janet Xanthopoulos (Rosemont), George Lucian (Only Yacht), and Nicolas Fry (Denison Yachting). “I searched extensively for a yachting course and found none until I discovered this one. It covers everything from yachting vocabulary to propulsion systems, insurance, classifications, flags, yacht locations, and shipyards,” added Céline Deissard, Sales Director in the luxury sector.
Open to the public, the Yachting Masterclass provides a 360° exploration of the superyacht universe, addressing 25 distinct themes. “Being based in Portugal, this course allowed me to deepen my knowledge of the sector without traveling. My understanding of superyachts improved dramatically, giving me the confidence to achieve my goals as a broker,” concludes Reinoud Bicker, Yachting Branch Manager in Portugal.
Starting in summer 2024, La Belle Classe Academy will offer Yachting Summer Camps for young people aged 16-22. Over a week, participants can earn navigation certificates such as coastal boat and jet ski licenses, take a first aid course, learn knots and ropework, or understand basic meteorology through fun educational workshops. Following a brief pause in August and September, except for coastal license classes, La Belle Classe Academy courses will resume on 30th September with an STCW Polar Code course for officers and captains working in Arctic and Antarctic regions, continuing to train an average of 200 to 250 people annually, mainly between October and May.
Established in 2015 to promote various trades within the yachting sector, La Belle Classe Academy continues to expand its program. Recently, it achieved official recognition as an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training center, enabling it to offer RYA Level 1 and 2 Powerboat Handling courses year-round. This addition further broadens its range of certified, internationally recognized courses.
As part of the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative, the training center has solidified its position as one of the most important in the superyacht industry. “We are proud to contribute to the professionalization of the yachting sector and in so doing reinforcing Monaco’s international reputation”, says Yacht Club de Monaco general secretary Bernard d’Alessandri..
