There is no better place to launch the latest Superyacht technology systems than at the yacht shows themselves. As the Superyacht industry has developed, technology has played a key role in navigation, entertainment, safety equipment, and even more so now, the metaverse.

With the post-pandemic world, autumn yacht shows are back on the agenda, and the most exciting for the technology sector is Monaco with its newly established sustainability hub, the Superyacht Technology Network in Barcelona, and the Tech trade show in Genoa. 

When & where are the Autumn yacht shows?

1. Southampton: 16th – 25th September
2. Genoa: 22nd – 27th September 
3. Monaco: 28th September – 1st October 
4. Superyacht Tech Network Show – Barcelona, 11th & 12th October 
5. Fort Lauderdale: 20th – 26th October 
6. Metstrade, Amsterdam: 15th – 17th November 

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So, what are the most exciting Superyacht technology developments this year? Here is a brief overview: 

Cloud-based platforms 

Wave goodbye to the lever-arch files and piles of paperwork; there are various digital methods and cloud-based platforms you can use onboard. Everything can now be done through technology, from accounting systems, itinerary planners, charter bookings, and navigational software to security systems. One of the new exhibitors at the Cannes Yacht Show was Ankor software, and they provide an all-in-one solution, replacing manual processes for charter businesses. 

Green technology and solutions 

This year, the Green Tech Boat show in the UK has already showcased new green technology in the maritime industry. At the MYS this year, they have launched a Sustainability Hub, an exhibition area that will showcase companies specialising in technology to reduce a yacht’s environmental footprint. Laneva boats will be there with their electric boats and the Freudenberg group, the leading experts in maritime fuel cells. 

Entertainment

The old AV/IT systems have been revived, with the latest technology available. There are a few companies today specialising in Superyacht entertainment technology; one is Immersive International, who will be at the Superyacht Technology network event in Barcelona (11th-12th October). The multidisciplinary studio creates experiences, artworks, and installations, taking the yachting industry by storm. 

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READ MORE: The Top 9 Coolest Superyacht Tenders

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The Metaverse

Web 3.0 and the metaverse are slowly infiltrating the yachting industry with yacht-specific NFTs, cryptocurrency, and marketing efforts through VR and AR. Studio 8ight will talk about the latest VR and AR technology at the Superyacht Technology Network event. 

New apps

In today’s tech-savvy world, there is an app for everything, even in yachting. A lot of marketplaces have developed seamless apps to make things easier. Borrow a Boat is an excellent example; they were at Cannes and will be at the Southampton boat show. They are the pioneer of boat charter and continue to make waves with more country launches and acquisitions. 

Communication

From messages in a bottle to super fast internet in the middle of an ocean, communication within yachting has come on leaps and bounds. Musk’s SpaceX has recently developed Starlink Maritime – a high-speed, low-latency internet. Starlink will be exhibiting at the Monaco yacht show. 

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Do you ever wonder what the Superyacht industry was like before the invention of new technologies?

Comms is a hot topic amongst crew and owners alike across the Superyacht industry. From keeping up with friends at home, to accessing real-time weather models and streaming movies. Yachts are humming with some of the latest and sometimes most advanced communications technologies on the planet. Budgets are often unlimited. And, owners are usually unwilling to accept compromise as they spend more time onboard. Resultantly, the marine communications sector has radically revolutionised the entire process of managing a yacht over the past 20 years.

It wasn’t always like this though. Those of us who have been yachties for longer than we care to admit will remember the simpler times. Before Kymeta flat-panels, Crestron systems, and the days when the yacht didn’t need its own profile on Instagram.  Having “no signal” was once an inconvenience coupled with a shrug of the shoulder. But today, the key is reliability. Good communications mean happy owners, satisfied guests, and boatloads of charters. Here’s what our captains had to say about ‘the good old days’…

VHWhat?

Captain Alberto Zambelli, M/Y Tommy

Italian captains will remember a VHF telephone subscription service that cost a bundle and required pre-payment. Even if you didn’t use your “minutes”. A switchboard would connect your call but there was a catch.

“During down times, we could listen in to sailors talking to their wives and girlfriends. Which, often turned comical with tears and arguments out in the open for everyone to hear…”

What about when you were out of Italian waters?

“You had to go to the post office and send a telegram to communicate with the owner or a broker to set up a charter!”

 

The joy of internet cafes

Captain Glenn Shepherd, PARSIFAL III/BigSailBoatJobs

Once the internet was in its infancy, Captain Glenn used to walk down the street to get online. In those days very few people had passwords on their home wireless networks, so catching a lucky break for a streetwise yachtie wasn’t too difficult!

“VSAT was out by 2005, but it was so expensive, with no bandwidth whatsoever. In fact, I once had to take my boss to one of those rustic Internet cafés in the Caribbean to get online. He was an IT billionaire!”

Some of you will also fondly remember the process for contacting suppliers over in Antigua before the advent of mobile phones.

“Remember the VHF 68 channel?! You used that for everything from a restaurant booking to getting in touch with a contractor. And after working hours it wasn’t a bad way of finding out if a mate was in a bar ashore either! It’s funny because I could have sworn Antigua had 4G before most of the UK did…”

You spent how much?!?!

Captain Mike French

Mike talked with us about the changes in the exchange of information that the whole Superyacht industry has experienced since reliable Internet access has come about.

“We used to download emails twice a day. Emails had to be small with no graphics, otherwise, they would be intercepted and deleted. The crew were allowed email addresses for the boat; Deckhand1, Stew2 with the boat’s name etc. This was a major advance, and I recall having several prospective crew members check on whether we had email access prior to interviewing.”

Then there are the horror stories of massive bills, of which there are many. Besides the costs there was always that message that didn’t arrive. Which, meant no delivery of provisions, or a transfer that hadn’t arrived because of a bad connection.

“On one trip, back in those days, we were acting as a wedding guest party venue and had around 100 guests coming and going to and from the boat. One of the guests found the bridge computer and decided to connect to the internet and collect their emails. They left the connection open, and it stayed open for about 36 hours until it was discovered. The bill was close to $30,000 as it was charged by time online as well as data.”

Today’s Superyacht Industry landscape:

Mark Pattman, RoamingExpert Yachts

Modern providers of voice and data solutions for crew and boats are working hard on making connectivity between sea and shore easier and more cost effective. Gone are the days of having a phone number for every country you set foot ashore in (sorry Mum!). Nowadays an entire vessel’s internet connection can be powered by a single 4G SIM package. Which, for the most part, is just as competitive as a regular, shoreside providers offering. Mark from RoamingExpert Yachts explained a bit to us about how they work:

“For us, it’s really important to be able to explain the costs and limitations in simple terms. Users are much more conscious of their usage requirements these days and the related costs. This is because the digital age means that a lot more of our interaction hinges on internet usage. Crew and captains we work with really appreciate it when we let them know if their monthly data usage is approaching. And the limits set by them help to ensure that they get the best deal regardless of excessive data usage.”

Offering support and flexible data packages is key to keeping the roaming workforce of yachties connected and content.

“On the rare occasion that there is a connection problem, we ensure that a one of our technical team can be reached directly. We then check for any global network issues. And, go through router settings, often finding a solution to get users back online right away. An added benefit is the ability to pool our data allowance across all of the SIM cards issued to a particular yacht. Which, allows individuals to work away from the yacht with ease.”

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