Francisca Cortés Solari

A visionary philanthropist transforming her love for the ocean into a fleet for conservation - where every voyage protects the world’s wildest waters.

Chilean philanthropist and ocean advocate Francisca Cortés Solari has built her life around one mission: to protect the planet she loves. A mother of three and a passionate believer in the power of science and education, she has spent more than two decades driving sustainable change across Chile, from the Andes to the wild, icy waters of Patagonia. Her latest chapter sees her taking that mission to sea, with a yacht designed not for luxury, but for conservation.

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It all began with a simple idea; to give children from vulnerable backgrounds the chance to learn about and connect with the natural world. That vision grew into Filantropía Cortés Solari (FCS), a foundation dedicated to creating social, environmental, and scientific value across Chile. From FCS came the MERI Foundation, which now partners with the Monaco Scientific Center to promote ocean research and education. Through MERI, Cortés Solari has helped shape international discussions on marine conservation, from Monaco Ocean Week to the Blue Economy Round Table, ensuring Chile’s voice is heard on the global stage.

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In 2021, her passion for the ocean took physical form in the shape of her first yacht, Cachalote, Spanish for “sperm whale.” Built by Navik Patagonia and designed by Vripack, the yacht is both a family explorer and a floating laboratory. Solar panels power its systems, sails reduce fuel use, and every material on board – from sustainably sourced oak to eco-friendly decking – has been chosen with care.

Yet Cachalote’s most remarkable feature isn’t visible to the eye. For more than a decade, Cortés Solari has been researching the impact of ship traffic on whales, working with Boston University scientists to develop onboard whale detection technology that could help prevent collisions. Her team even quantified the true worth of these gentle giants: each blue whale captures about 33 tonnes of carbon, giving it an estimated value of $4 million to the planet’s ecosystem.

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This groundbreaking research inspired the Blue BOAT Initiative – a network of smart buoys that detect whales in real time and alert vessels to their presence. Sponsored by the Chilean government, the first buoy was launched in 2022 in the Gulf of Corcovado, one of the world’s most important blue whale habitats.

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For Cortés Solari, Cachalote is more than a yacht; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when passion, science, and purpose come together. “Building her wasn’t just a passion project,” she says. “It became a cultural conservation one. My dream is to build a fleet of research boats to help protect our oceans.”

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Through her vision and determination, Francisca Cortés Solari is proving that one person, with enough heart and courage, really can change the tide.