/ 
They share the same constraints, mobilize similar skills, but up until now, each has evolved in its own lane. On October 18, 2025, three major players in ocean racing announced the creation of a new association: OCEAN (Organization of Nautical Adventure Races and Events) .
Creating a forum for dialogue between competing organizers
For the first time, SAEM Vendée, OC Sport Pen Duick and the Transat Café L'Or Le Havre Normandie association have formalized their willingness to cooperate. A significant change of stance in a sector accustomed to working in silos. By setting up a collegial, rotating governance structure, OCEAN aims to create a space for dialogue, with no hierarchical logic, but with a common roadmap.
Pooling resources: logistics, skills, equipment
Organizers have to cope with heavy budgets, small teams and tricky logistics, especially for international calls. OCEAN offers to pool responses to these constraints: competent personnel, service providers, tools, technical solutions, as well as shared planning and methods. This approach is similar to that used by other industrial subsidiaries.
Towards a more responsible model
Behind this approach lies a commitment to the environment, territorial impact and public integration. Through their respective events, the founding members have each initiated reflections on decarbonation, flow management, recycling and soft mobility. OCEAN has become a framework for moving forward together, converging initiatives and creating a common understanding.
Structuring a high-level event industry
Although ocean racing is highly publicized in the media, its organizational structure remains uneven. In creating this association, the initiators also aim to further professionalize practices, facilitate relations with public and private partners, and make a united voice heard by institutions.
A first step in building cooperation
This approach could inspire others, as in the British ocean racing sector or the world of boat shows. It remains to be seen whether OCEAN will succeed in broadening its base beyond its three founding members.
