Philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives are as much a part of yachting as they are other industries, despite not getting headlines. Giving formal, wider recognition is the goal of The Honours 2024 edition.
The awards, in their second year, recognize superyachting change makers. They’re part of the vision of the Superyacht Life Foundation, a non-profit striving to change the conversation about luxury yachting. Most traditional news media coverage focuses on sensationalism-oriented information like fires, sinkings, and other accidents, or provides similarly negative portrayal of owners and guests. Further support for the awards comes from the Monaco Yacht Show. Considering nearly 400 people were nominated for the awards last year, the organizers anticipate significant nominations this year.
Owners, crew, and industry personnel are all eligible for The Honours 2024 nominations and awards. Whatever their life’s role, according to the organizers, he or she should demonstrative altruistic, progressive behavior. It should extend to other people, too, and not be for personal benefit alone. For example, someone promoting diversity and inclusion to ensure yachting emphasizes competency over gender and other labels is one possibility. These are among the reasons why Jenny Matthews, the founder of She of the Sea and co-founder of the Legasea mentoring program (above), received an award in 2023.
Yet another example of the true altruism is Zoran Selakovic (below), a director for the well-known non-profit YachtAid Global. An award recipient in 2023, Selakovic regularly coordinates yachts to deliver first aid, supplies, and other necessities to coastal communities. The final award winner last year, Wendy Schmidt (bottom), has helped advance ocean science and research through two family non-profits. Additionally, she has helped publicize sustainability developments across maritime sectors.
Full nominations criteria are available on The Honours website. Judges will weigh the nominees’ impact and achievements, leadership and influence, service and commitment, their efforts’ creativity and innovation, as well as their personal integrity and character. A gala for the three winners takes place the night before the Monaco Yacht Show begins this September.
“The inspiring stories of our 2023 laureates and the extraordinary impacts they have had through their work and their initiatives are a perfect reflection of what this industry is capable of and the heart that beats within it,” says Dilan Sarac, The Superyacht Life Foundation executive director.
Gaelle Tallarida, the Monaco Yacht Show managing director, adds, “The Honours reflect the efforts of our industry to the rest of the world, showing both how progressive our industry can be and also how much desire to do good there is in the superyachting good life.”
Monaco Yacht Show monacoyachtshow.com
Superyacht Life Foundation thesuperyachtlife.com
The Honours thehonours.org
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