Welcome to the Royal Malta Yacht Club

Founded in 1835

The Royal Malta Yacht Club has a deep commitment to yachting and organises a full programme of racing and social activities throughout the year.

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RMYC

Passion & Heritage

“Owning a home is a keystone of wealth, both financial affluence and emotional security.”

Suze Orman

The Club

Located right on the water in Ta’ Xbiex Marina the club offers extraordinary facilities which include a lounge bar and dining area with outdoor terraces, roof top terrace, conference rooms, a fitness room with changing rooms, waterfront facilities for small boats and a seasonal marina for larger boats.

Malta

Malta with its wonderful weather has a great lifestyle with plenty of opportunities for sport and the club is an ideal base for yachtsmen whether for racing or cruising at any time of year. It is a favourite port of call for members of renowned yacht clubs from all over the world with which the club has reciprocal agreements.

Governance

The club is run by a committee elected by the full members of the club. The members vary in age and profession but share a common passion for, yachting and the social life that is generated around the club. It is not necessary to own a boat to be a member of the club and enjoy the benefits of a yacht club in a beautiful waterfront location.

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Timeline

The RMYC Story

1873
1896
1905
1921
August 1935
1940-1945
1949
1952
1968
1968
1970
1972
1972 - 1980
1975
1978
1990
Royal Malta Yacht Club Established
The date of the first establishment of the Royal Malta Yacht Club cannot be ascertained, although there are rumours as to the existence of a yacht club in Malta as far back as 1835. It is, however, on record that the admiralty issued a warrant authorising the use of the Blue Ensign in 1873 (re-issued in 1894 and again in 1935). By 1892 the Club had reached its nadir and virtually ceased to exist.
RHODA
About 1896, a small group of gentlemen resident in Malta and owning as a syndicate a 30-ton cutter called the “RHODA” formed an association which was commonly known as the “Rhoda Sailing Club”.
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Racing
At first their interests were primarily in cruising but, later on, races were staged for sailing dinghies and small local craft, which attracted other enthusiasts who were not members of the original syndicate. From these and others, a club, known as the Mediterranean Skiff Club, was formed in 1905 and the West of England Conference Dinghy adopted as its racing class. The Mediterranean Skiff Club remained in existence until 1916 when it was wound up owing to the majority of its members being on active service.
Malta Yacht Club
In 1921 the Club was reconstituted under the title of the “Malta Yacht Club” presumably in ignorance of the Royal Tradition it had inherited, and it was not until 1928 that steps were taken to obtain official recognition of the prefix “Royal” although some years previously the Admiralty had adopted that form of address when communicating with the Club. In 1929, following a successful motor-boat regatta, the Malta Motor Boat Club was formed and in 1930 the two Clubs were amalgamated under the title of the senior body, with the declared policy of providing a common meeting ground for the Maltese and English sections of the community, and to this end, of building premises suitable to the Club’s activities.
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Blue Ensign
In August 1935, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to grant to the Royal Malta Yacht Club the restoration of the former privilege of wearing the Blue Ensign.
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World War 2
After the outbreak of the war with Italy in 1940 the Club ceased to function. A year later some of the keener members, reinforced by a few enthusiasts who had arrived to strengthen the garrison, recommended racing until the attacks of the Luftwaffe, not to mention the stifling effects of our own smoke screens, drove them out of the water. On 18th July 1942 a bomb completely demolished the Club House and many boats were lost or badly damaged.
Rebuilding
It was not until 1944 that it was possible to get together sufficient people anxious to race and re-form the Club. St Rocco Baths were used as a temporary Club House until 1950. Boats which had been sold out of the Club were traced and bought back into the fold; hulls, sails and gear were rebuilt or repaired and racing was resumed, at first on a small but later on a steadily increasing scale. In 1945 the Annual Regatta was revived and Long Distance Dinghy Races held for the first time since the war. The Club House at Floriana (Hay Wharf) was rebuilt on its former site in late 1949 and the Club thereby duly re-established in its original premises.
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Off-shore Races
In 1952 Off-shore races for 30 and 50 square meter yachts were introduced and races to various ports in Sicily, Libya and Tunisia were held regularly. In 1968 the first Middle Sea Race was sailed and 1987 saw the start of the Rimini-Malta-Rimini race. In 1970 the Club moved from Hay Wharf, Floriana to Fort Manoel, Manoel Island. Fort Manoel, completed in 1726 by the French military engineer De Tigne, has a remarkably fine design and a most impressive gate, which is clearly visible from Marsamxett Harbour; originally the complex housed 500 soldiers. The Fort also commands a superb view of Valletta and the harbour.
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Middle Sea Race Trophy Creation
Emvin Cremona, one of the country’s leading artists whose postage stamps were eye-catching and original, was commissioned via the Malta Tourist Board to produce the main trophy for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Cast in bronze, the trophy design powerfully and uniquely confirms the ties between sailing and Malta.
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First edition of Middle Sea Race
The Middle Sea Race was created in 1968 as the result of sporting rivalry between two British yachtsmen residing in Malta, Alan Green and Jimmy White, and two Maltese sailors, Paul and John Ripard, both members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The racecourse became a circumnavigation of Sicily including Lampedusa, Pantelleria and the Egadi and Aeolian islands. The overall winner was the smallest entry, Josian, giving the skipper John Ripard and the Maltese nation a landmark opening victory.
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Club Premises moved to Manoel Island
In 1970 the Club Premises which had been situated at Hay Wharf within Marsamxetto Harbour moved to the present premises on Manoel Island. Hay Wharf was retained for the Dinghy Section of the Club but was given up in 1982.
Post of Commodore assumed by Chairman of the General Committee
In 1972 the ex-officio post of Commodore, formerly held by His Excellency, the Governor General, was regraded into President of the Club, and the post of Commodore assumed by the Chairman of the General Committee.
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International Sailing Events
In the years that followed the premises and activities remained unchanged with the Malta Syracuse Race and the Middle Sea Race becoming premier international events. The latter, which had been generously supported by the Martini International Club since 1972, became known as the Martini Middle Sea Race and in 1974 the associated race for non-IOR yachts became the Martini Ulysses Cruiser Race. In 1980 the Porto Cervo Race was inaugurated in association with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and that year also saw the revival of an annual race to Tunisia, in co-ordination with the Port Authority at El-Kantaoui.
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Formation of Malta Yachting Federation
In 1975 the Club instigated the formation of the Malta Yachting Federation with a view to such body assuming the reception, at the time accorded to the Club by the Malta Government (National Sports Board), as the National Authority and Controlling Body for yachting in Malta.
Valletta Yacht Club
In 1978 the Name of the Club was changed to the Valletta Yacht Club and the Maritime Flag of Malta became the ensign of the Club.
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Reverts to Original Name - Royal Malta Yacht Club
On the 13th November, 1990, the Club reverted to its original name - "The Royal Malta Yacht Club"
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Get to know

The RMYC Committee

The Royal Malta Yacht Club depends heavily through the voluntary contribution of its membership to govern and operate its programmes. The Club Committee, made up of nine members, is elected by the Club’s members at the Annual General Meeting, conducts areas of management which falls within their remit.

David Cremona

Commodore

David Cremona has been a full member of the RMYC since 2001. This is his fourth term in office. In 2020 he served in the role of  Rear Commodore House.

He has taken part in various races organised by the Club with his boat Breezer both in IRC rated races as well as the Cruiser Class. He also participated as a crew in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

David is presently a property sales negotiator, having worked in the real estate industry for the past 17 years. This followed years as a General Manager / Director with a leading pharmaceutical distributor and importer of baby foods , foodstuffs and medical equipment.

He is an active member of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.  This will be David’s fourth year as the Club Commodore.

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Mark Napier

Vice Commodore & Hon. Secretary

Mark Napier has been an active member of the Royal Malta Yacht Club ever since being introduced to the club at the age of 12. He has participated in many Club races and has assisted in race management on many occasions.

He has been continuously elected to serve on committee since 1998 where he has served the Club as Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Rear Commodore Cruising, Rear Commodore House and as Vice Commodore. He was one of the key members involved in relocating and rebuilding the Club house and was deeply involved in the setting up and shaping the organisation of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Mark has held various directorships and worked in senior management all his professional life, starting off in textiles, then moving on to producing equestrian and marine related products, and in recent years has been managing a foreign owned Pharmaceutical Company.

In 2020 Mark was one again elected to the Committee retained his role of Honorary Secretary. In 2023, he also took on the role of Vice-Commodore, a role he retains in 2024.

He is married to Nadine and has two children – John and Elena.

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Mark Vella

Hon. Treasurer

Unlike most of his Committee member colleagues Mark started sailing at a much more mature age even if in 1968 when a very young kid he scrupulously followed the first Middle Sea Race via the local media and vouched that one day he would do this race.

Mark became a member of the RMYC in 1999 when the late Arthur Podesta was Commodore. This was a life transformation move as he eventually started sailing with Arthur and family, participating in most local races and 7 Rolex Middle Sea Races between 2004 and 2010. There was a great deal of success and satisfaction and Mark got elected onto the RMYC Committee on several occasions since then serving as Treasurer and Secretary. Mark chaired a COVID-19 task force during last years’ RMSR which was crucial in making the race happen.

In 2024, Mark will retain his role as Hon. Treasurer, a post he has held for the past four years.

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Georges Bonello Dupuis

Rear Commodore (Special Events)

Georges has served as a committee member of the Royal Malta Yacht Club between 1997 to 2012. He was elected Commodore of the Club in January 2000, a post he held until February 2012.

Throughout his tenure, Georges drove a program of change and re-energised the RMYC from a traditional ageing colonial social club to a dynamic, energised and recognised entity turning it from a local outlook into an internationally recognised establishment that has a place within the top rankings of clubs around the world. He focused on increasing corporate level sponsorship participation through the introduction of a number of new events in which companies were given exposure to affiliate their brand with the boating fraternity. Enticed companies such as BMW, Vodafone, Rolex SA, Bank of Valletta, AirMalta together with the Malta Tourism and Maritime Authorities amongst others.

He was influential and the main driving force in securing the Rolex sponsorship for the Middle Sea Race and place it in the world rankings of international yachting to a position of significance and status as one of the “must do” races for every yachtsman, professional or Corinthian. He was responsible in successfully negotiating with Government and private stakeholders the reallocation of the RMYC to suitable location. He also spearheaded the new Clubhouse built in Ta’ Xbiex and in 2021 was responsible for the refurbishment and maintenance programme undertaken by the Club.

In 2024 Georges will retain his role of Special Events, particularly focusing on the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Georges is a very keen yachtsman and regularly raced shorthanded offshore races on board Escape. Georges enjoys cruising extensively.

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Mario Debono

Rear Commodore (House)

Mario Debono has been sailing from a very young age. He took his first steps on the water at the tender age of 3 years old, on his grandfather’s sailing luzzu at that time. His passion was and still is sailing, and he cruises and races extensively with the Club.

Mario’s interests are anything to do with the sea. He believes very much that the older generation should encourage the younger generation to sail. He is married to Jackie Drury and has two children, with a son who sails with the Jarhead Foundation and has just done his first Middle Sea Race and with a daughter who trains at the club’s sailing school.

In business, Mario runs several companies ranging from Pharmaceuticals, construction and IT Services. He is also President of the Pharmacy Section of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises and a Council member, and is involved in running the Pharmacy Of Your Choice Scheme, of which he was the creator and promoter. Mario is offering his long experience in business to the Club, so that it can develop further and grow.

Mario Debono is passionate about the promotion of Malta as a yachting destination and centre of excellence, not just in sailing but also all types of activities on the water.

This is Mario’s fourth year as Rear Commodore (House).

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Adrian Gauci Borda

Rear Commodore (Sailing)

Following his father’s footsteps Adrian is a very keen sailor who started sailing at the age of 18 on the laser now known as the ILCA7 class. Adrian was part of the national team in the Laser class until 2003 Small Nations Games held in Malta. An experience he defines as UNIQUE, having sailed multiple times abroad including Mediterranean games, World Championships, European circuit and Olympic qualifying events.

Adrian was also involved in Match racing held by RMYC and racing in the J/70 one design sport boat class. He is also the co-founder of the SB20 one design class in Malta having set the Association, affiliated the class with Malta’s Sailing Authority and the SB20 World council. The class consists of 8 boats locally has been established in 2017.  The last few years have seen Adrian progress from round the cans and coastal races to fully blown offshore racing, previously on Maltese Falcon 2 and more recently on Be Free.

Nowadays, Adrian is very much involved in race organization, and voluntarily dedicates his time to dinghy ranking events, international races organized by local Clubs. Although the move to race organisation is not easy, with the right help and mentorship it is possible.

“Sailing is a sport for young and old to enjoy in any form, whether it is sailing, socially, volunteering we all form part of the same family”

This year, 2024 will be Adrian’s second year in the role of Rear Commodore (Sailing)

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Edgar Warrington

Member

Edgar Warrington first joined the RMYC Committee in the late 1990s and since then occupied a number of roles, particularly relating to the role of House due to his background in Catering. He has also, since 1996 contributed his time during the Middle Sea Race. Edgar spent many years racing on the yacht Moondance and has a Rolex Middle Sea Race participation under his belt.

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James Villette

Member

James Villette has been a family member of the RMYC since 2017.  James started sailing dinghies from a young age in the UK. He raced Toppers and GP14s before racing Lasers and 420s as part of the British Youth Squad.

In Malta James races on the Ice 52RS Otra Vez.

James works as a manager for one of the Big Four accounting firms.

James’ children, Sophie and George race for the RMYC in the ILCA 4 and Optimist classes.

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Amata Camilleri

Member

Amata’s early career path saw her work in the healthcare sector, spending three years working as a nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital.  Following that, she spent a year as a Claims Assistant with a local insurance company, gaining insights into the administrative side of healthcare. Transitioning into pharmacy management, she dedicated 15 years to overseeing operations in two pharmacies, honing further her organisational and managerial skills. In 2002, still in the healthcare sector, I ventured into human resources in a private hospital.

For over two decades, she has worked with the Assocjazzjoni Volontarja Lourdes, of which she was president for twenty years. During this time she tirelessly coordinated volunteers and resources, ensuring that individuals facing illness receives the support and care they deserved.

Alongside my commitment to healthcare, she has also been an active member of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, offering my  assistance for more than twenty editions of the Rolex Middle Sea Race (RMSR).

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The Commodore is elected annually by the Committee from amongst its members at a meeting chaired by the person having obtained the majority of votes during the election of the Committee, or otherwise by the most senior officer of the previous Committee present.

The elected Commodore nominates Officers to be approved by election amongst the members of the Committee.

All Officers with the exception of the Commodore may or may not be appointed at the discretion of the Committee.

Mr John Ripard Sr is the Honorary President of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

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Past Officers

Commodores

David Cremona2021 - present
Godwin Zammit2012–2020
Georges Bonello DuPuis2002–2011
Arthur Podesta1998–2001
George Cachia1996–1997
John Ripard Sr1988–1995
Colonel G.Z.Tabona OBE RMA1984–1987
John Ripard Sr1977–1981
Colonel G.Z.Tabona OBE RMA1972–1976
Sir Maurice Dorman GCNG GCVD1962–1971
H.E.Admiral Sir Guy Grantham GCBC BE DSO RN1960–1961
H.E. Sir Robert Laycock KCMG CB1955–1959
H.E. Sir Gerald Creasy1950–1954
H.E. Sir Francis Douglas1948–1949
War Years - No records held1938–1947
H.E. General Sir David G.M. Campbell GCBA DC1935–1937

Vice Commodores

Mark Napier2023 -
Peter Dimech2022 -2022
Anna Rossi2021 - 2022
Robert W. Ciantar2019 - 2020
Peter Dimech2018
Mark Napier2014 - 2017
Teddie Borg2013
Mark Napier2011–2012
Teddie Borg2008–2010
David Farrugia2006–2007
Anton Valentino2005–2005
Mark Napier2002–2004
David Farrugia2000–2001
Anton Valentino1999
Peter Valentino1998
Commander W J Fenley1996–1996
George Cachia1993–1995
Major Chevalier Hamilton RM1989–1992
Benny Grech1988
Major Chevalier Hamilton RM1986–1987
Lieutenant Commander Lavarack RM1982–1985
Walter Camilleri1980–1981
Lieutenant Colonel AV Borda RMA1977–1979
Lieutenant Commander Lavarack RM1975–1976
Colonel A Abel Smith1972–1974
Colonel GZ Tabona OBE RMA1970–1971
Lieutenant Colonel AV Borda RMA1966–1969
Commander Edward Palmier DSC RN1965
Rear Admiral The Viscount Kelburn DSC RN1961–1964
Rear Admiral DHF Hetherington RN1960
Brigadier PWC Hellins BSC MC1960
Vice Admiral Sir Charles E Madden1958–1959
Rear Admiral WG Brittan CB CBE RN1955–1957
Rear Admiral JSC Salter CB DSO OBE RN1952–1954
Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Hawkins CBE CB1950–1952
Rear Admiral CP Clarus CB DSC RN1949–1950
Brigadier General De Brett1948
War years - No records held1938–1947
Vice Admiral WF French CB CMG RN1935–1937

Volunteers

The Royal Malta Yacht Club depends on its volunteer members.
With so many sailing and social events scheduled throughout the year there is no shortage of opportunities for volunteers to lend a hand.
All those who are interested in becoming an RMYC volunteer please send an email to: info@rmyc.org.

The success of the many events organised by the RMYC is attributed to the help we receive from our volunteers. Events such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the many races in the Club’s Racing Calendar focus around a group of people who give their time to make sure that events such as these are a great success for the Club.

Volunteers also enjoy the possibility of learning race management skills and the camaraderie that comes with being part of a team that has many varied responsibilities. Individual volunteers work on major national and international regattas. Although this requires a lot of work, these regattas offer the chance to meet sailors from all over the world

Volunteers don’t have to be an active sailor to participate in the many events that are conducted out of the RMYC. There are a variety of interesting roles that can be undertaken that are an integral part of a successful event or function. For many years the Royal Malta Yacht Club has found the support of volunteers to manage weekend races for Club boats through to being involved in the starting procedures of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Year-in and year-out, RMYC members respond to the call and lend a helping hand. Committees are organized to manage the operations and events of the Club and here too members and helpers are always welcome.