A mind-boggling array of yachts, megayachts, uberyachts and tenders were on display at the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this last fall. Our cover story is on the mind-blowing The Maltese Falcon. This 289-foot innovative sailing yacht was the queen of the Monaco show and is the most talked-about yacht of the year. I had the good fortune to go sailing on her and chat with owner Tom Perkins about how he conceived this unique project. In our Falcon story, you’ll find interviews with the yacht’s fabulous four creators: Fabio Perini, Ken Freivokh, Gerry Dijkstra and Tom Perkins as to their respective roles in creating this masterpiece.

Can it get more far out than the Falcon? In my recent travels, several builders and designers divulged that they were signing orders for yachts in the 80-, 90- and 100-meter range. Our annual Global Order Book speaks to the sustained growth in the megayacht industry and recounts the number of yachts in build by feet, meters and miles.

When acquaintances unfamiliar with boating discover that I am the editor of a luxury magazine that focuses on yachts in the 100-plus-foot range (100-plus-meter notwithstanding), invariably I receive one of two reactions: fascination or abomination—or, to quote author Joseph Conrad from his book Heart of Darkness, "fascination of the abomination."

L to R: Monaco’s Prince Albert II, MYS organizer Luc Pettavino and ShowBoats International’s Jill Bobrow. Photograph by Pierre Pettavino. (Click image to enlarge)

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I attended a presentation that the H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco made aboard the 66-meter oceAnco Dilbar during the MYS. He worked the crowd, chatting with attendees, and then he made a speech about his personal commitment to environmental protection. He implored megayacht builders to take responsibility, to think green and to lead an initiative to help conserve the world’s oceans.

"The oceans and the seas are key elements in the protection of what is definitely beginning to be perceived as international public goods," Prince Albert said. "Today, more than ever, the sea is regarded as a source of wealth for humans—as an essential sanctuary—and contains evidence of our Earth’s past. It is a precious resource for humankind’s future."

The prince also referred to Monaco’s contribution to maritime protection. He said, "My great-great grandfather, Prince Albert I, made four expeditions to the North Pole a century ago. On the two recent trips which I made, following in his footsteps, our measurements showed a 40 percent reduction of the glacier there, one sign of the urgency of the situation."The prince also said, "Monaco may not be the biggest country in the world, but I am determined to show it can be among the most innovative in its approaches to the environment."

The Prince Albert II Foundation* follows another initiative embraced by the MYS in conjunction with Camper & Nicholsons International: to become "carbon neutral."

"Together with its daily efforts to reduce its impact on the environment, the MYS takes action to balance the energy waste generated by the show," the prince said. "We try to raise awareness among participants to reduce their emissions whenever and wherever possible."

Fascination of the abomination is not a bad thing. It is better than complacency. It is thrilling that there are extraordinary yachts created by visionaries such as Tom Perkins and a host of other powerful men and women. These are the people with the means and influence who can help the Prince Albert II Foundation and myriad other world organizations make an impact and a difference.