From Monaco to Fort Lauderdale: ISS celebrates its 2026 Design & Leadership Award winners

From the announcement of the finalists at the Yacht Club de Monaco on September 23 to the awards gala in Fort Lauderdale on October 28, the International Superyacht Society’s 2026 Design & Leadership Awards brought together two shores of the international yachting community.

The Monaco Yacht Show provided the setting for the first chapter, with 26 yachts shortlisted across seven design categories. Just over a month later, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Florida welcomed the industry for the announcement of the winners, recognizing the projects and people whose work shapes life on the water.

Breakthrough leads the design awards

Built by Feadship, with exterior and interior design by RWD and naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects, Breakthrough secured both its size category and the overall yacht title.

The recognition extended to RWD, named Designer of the Year. Based in Beaulieu on England’s south coast, the studio has been creating yacht designs since 1993. Its involvement in the winning projects also included Solace, which received Best in Refit.

Feadship’s Valor won Best in Motor 1000-3000GT. The yacht combines an exterior by Studio De Voogt with interiors by Bannenberg & Rowell Design, while naval architecture was undertaken by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects.

Together, the results gave Feadship a prominent presence across new construction and the continuing life of an existing yacht.

Two victories for Cantiere delle Marche

The Italian presence on the Monaco shortlist translated into two category wins for Cantiere delle Marche.

Haze 2 received Best in Motor Below 300GT. Its interiors are by Lawson Robb, with exterior design credited to Hydro Tec and Cantiere delle Marche. Hydro Tec also developed the naval architecture.

In the Best in Motor 300-500GT category, the award went to Nasiba, another Cantiere delle Marche build. Winch Design was responsible for the interiors, while Hydro Tec undertook exterior design and naval architecture.

The double win recognized different design partnerships within the same shipyard. Hydro Tec was a common contributor to both projects, illustrating how a continuing technical relationship can support distinct interpretations of an owner’s yacht.

Sailing and refit winners

Southern Wind’s Kiboko 4 won Best in Sail 24-40m. The project brings together interior and exterior design by Nauta Design with naval architecture by Farr Yacht Design.

In the larger sailing category, Best in Sail 40m+ went to Aquarius, built by Royal Huisman. Dykstra Naval Architects was responsible for exterior design and naval architecture, with interiors by Mark Whiteley Design.

The Best in Refit award was presented to Solace. Originally built by Feadship, the yacht underwent its refit at Pendennis, with interior design credited to RWD and Vickers Studio. De Voogt is credited for exterior design and naval architecture.

Its recognition brought the work of a refit yard into an evening otherwise largely devoted to new builds, acknowledging the expertise involved in developing an existing yacht for its next chapter.

The people behind the industry

Alongside the yachts, the Awards of Distinction recognized contributions that reach into the shipyard workshop and the everyday responsibilities of life aboard.

Lina Heinze of Abeking & Rasmussen received the Artisan Award. Trained in traditional boat building, Heinze has carried those skills into large yacht construction, working across practical craftsmanship and CNC processes. Her responsibilities also include construction site work and helping train the shipyard’s younger talent.

The Distinguished Crew Award went to Captain Brendan Emmons of M/Y Freedom, a 110-foot Horizon tri-deck. Alongside his work leading charter and owner trips, Emmons was recognized for developing crew and for his “Donate at Every Port” initiative, which directs surplus provisions to local food banks and community fridges.

Giles Barkley received Excellence in Improving Yachting for his contribution to education at Solent University. Over more than 35 years, his work has helped prepare generations of yacht designers and naval architects. He developed and led the university’s MSc Superyacht Design program, bringing industry briefs into teaching and advancing sustainable design within the curriculum.

Excellence in Technology was awarded to REGENT Craft for its Seaglider, an all-electric craft combining hydrofoiling with wing-in-ground-effect flight. The award recognized a transport concept with potential applications for transfers between yachts, shore destinations and islands.

Captain Michael Dailey received The Bridge Salute Award for his mentorship of crew, including deckhands and officers who have gone on to command yachts themselves.

A Monaco connection in Fort Lauderdale

The evening also returned to Monaco through the Leadership Award, presented to Bernard d’Alessandri of the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Having joined the club in 1976, d’Alessandri has helped develop its international role over five decades. His contribution includes founding Cluster Yachting Monaco and advancing initiatives such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, the SEA Index and the La Belle Classe Academy.

His recognition provided a fitting connection between the place where the finalists were announced and the stage where the winners were celebrated.

From Monaco to Fort Lauderdale, the 2026 awards followed the projects beyond their first presentation to the industry. The final honors also brought attention to the people who build a yacht’s quality into its smallest details, guide its operation at sea and prepare the next generation to take responsibility for its future.

 

Rebecca Gabbi

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