Monaco, 24 September 2025

Following its global debut at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) earlier this year, Water Revolution Foundation now officially launched Ocean Assist to the wider yachting community at the Monaco Yacht Show. Ocean Assist is a science-based, regenerative impact programme designed specifically to restore the ecological footprint of yachting. It is aimed at helping the yachting community to support its most critical stakeholder, the ocean. Carefully selected by a scientific advisory board, the programme ensures effective, quantified and transparently reported positive impact projects.

RINA-certified under ISO standards, Ocean Assist represents the very first UN-recognised regenerative programme. It incorporates Regenerative Contribution Units, initially recognized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at COP28 in Dubai as an innovative metric to move beyond carbon offsetting. Recognised by UN DESA as an investment-ready platform to channel finance into SDG 14, Ocean Assist combines these Units with carbon credits, generating a regenerative bonus and positioning yachting as a strategic driver within the blue economy.  It complements the targets established in Water Revolution Foundation’s Roadmap 2050 – Towards Regenerative Yachting, ensuring that after actors have reduced their footprint, they can complete their net-zero commitment by compensating the remaining impact through regenerative, reliable and relevant contributions to restore and protect the ocean.

How Ocean Assist Works

Each Ocean Assist Unit (OAU) combines both ecological and climate benefits in one trusted mechanism:

• 1 OAU = 1 Regenerative Contribution Unit (RCU) + 23 Verified Emission Reductions (VERs)
  • Regenerative Contribution Unit (RCU): Measures net ecological gains in both extent and condition, expressed as quality hectares (Qha).
  • Verified Emission Reductions (VERs): Each RCU is associated with the certified removal of 23 tonnes of CO₂eq, issued by the eCO2care – Carbon Account Registry for Climate Neutrality. VERs are globally recognised and can be included in corporate sustainability reports.

All Projects that generate OAU’s are:

• Selected by an independent scientific advisory board, ensuring due diligence on climate, ecology, governance, and integrity.
• Registered in the public eCO2care registry, guaranteeing transparency, traceability, and accountability.
• Certified through a rigorous process so yacht owners, builders, and stakeholders know their contributions have the highest possible positive impact.

Certificates will be issued by Water Revolution Foundation upon purchasing Ocean Assist Units. With these certificates, the process is complete and emission reductions can be formally included in corporate sustainability reporting. 

Why This Matters

Yachting, as the pinnacle of luxury, has both the resources and the responsibility to lead by example in ocean stewardship. Ocean Assist enables the industry to:

• Act as ocean stewards by directly funding high-impact restoration and conservation projects.
• Embed sustainability into strategy, going beyond offsetting to measurable ecological regeneration.
• Demonstrate leadership by holding itself to a higher standard, creating a multiplier effect across industries.
• Report with confidence, as OAUs provide both VER certificates for carbon accounting and RCU certificates for biodiversity gains.

“Integrating regenerative investment into our business value propositions is the way to preserve a future for all. Ocean Assist provides a scientifically robust, transparent, and regenerative path forward for yachting and beyond. By choosing Ocean Assist, we choose to turn our industry’s footprint into a legacy of regeneration.” – Dr. Vienna Eleuteri, Programme Architect, Ocean Assist.

Certification and Development Partners

• Certifying Body: RINA
• Registry: eCO2care
• Developed by: Water Revolution Foundation, and Dr. Vienna Eleuteri
• Scientific/technical partner: University of Genoa and Tetis

Now Available

Ocean Assist Units can now be purchased directly through the Water Revolution Foundation website. By participating, the yachting community can take tangible, verifiable steps toward protecting marine biodiversity and accelerating the transition to a regenerative, net-zero future.

Aino joined the Foundation’s Board in March 2025, following her four year chairing role of the Sustainable Yacht Design Taskforce, and now steps into this prominent leadership role as part of a thoughtfully planned succession strategy designed to ensure continuity and momentum in our mission. With over 25 years of experience growing and leading organisations across the art, luxury, and technology sectors, Aino brings a wealth of strategic insight and a proven commitment to sustainability.

As Chief Executive of Winch Design since 2016, Aino has led the company through a significant evolution, including its transition to employee ownership in 2021. Her background in strategy consulting, combined with her deep passion for sustainable innovation, makes her an ideal leader to steer Water Revolution Foundation into its next chapter.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at the Water Revolution Foundation, continuing to build on the exceptional work of Henk de Vries III whose leadership has laid a strong foundation for meaningful change in our industry.  At Winch Design, sustainability is a core pillar of our vision, and we believe that design must be a force for positive change. I look forward to working with the Foundation and its partners to drive meaningful progress on the 2050 roadmap we have now set ourselves as a target to protect our oceans and planet for generations to come” states Aino Grapin.

Honouring a Visionary Leader

We extend our deepest gratitude to Henk de Vries III for his outstanding leadership and vision. As a founding chairman, Henk played an instrumental role in shaping the Foundation’s mission and strategic direction. In recognition of his enduring legacy, he has been awarded the honorary title of Emeritus Chair.

“More than six years ago now, Dr. Vienna Eleuteri sparked brightly with inspiration for a cleaner future for superyachting. I am very happy and proud to have been part of this extraordinary journey. With confidence I hand the reins to Aino Grapin, who will lead our Foundation with renewed ambition and vision” states Henk de Vries.

Gradual Succession, Strong Governance

Recognising the importance of stability and continuity, Water Revolution Foundation has implemented a gradual succession scheme for its founding members. This strategy ensures steady leadership renewal while preserving institutional knowledge and board effectiveness.

We will continue to announce new board appointments as they are confirmed, reinforcing our commitment to governance excellence and long-term impact.

Leadership Continuity

As part of our ongoing governance practices, Vice Chair Vienna Eleuteri, one of the Foundation’s founders, has been granted an exemption from the standard term policy. Her essential role in representing the Foundation in the global scientific and sustainability communities is reviewed and renewed every three years.

With a strong and evolving leadership team, Water Revolution Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate sustainability in the yachting sector through collaboration, science-based solutions, and regenerative practices.