Oceanco shares some of the options available for onboard technology that could have come straight out of the pages of a spy novel.
For custom-built superyachts, there are some owners who choose to opt for secret-service level security and privacy onboard, maybe because they enjoy cutting edge gadgetry or they wish to continue their regular lifestyle while at sea. From drone blocking force fields to motion-detecting smart floors, the kinds of futuristic technologies we are used to seeing in action films are not so far from the reality of today’s top-level security and privacy options for large custom superyachts.
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“When it comes to creating a fully bespoke superyacht, we are accustomed to the challenges of specialist requests such as these. James Bond had ‘Q’ to supply his outlandish gadgets; superyacht owners have ‘O’, aka Oceanco,” comments Paris Baloumis, Oceanco’s Marketing Director. “Although the company naturally maintains full confidentiality regarding any specific client’s requirements as well as their identities. “We bring in experts from inside and outside yachting to consult on high-security projects and adopt technologies from other sectors. What’s more, we take our own security at Oceanco very seriously to maintain privacy during the construction of our yachts; the shipyard is fitted out with high-security systems, too.”
And with increasing autonomy and range on today’s vessels, many are heading off the beaten track and into remote waters where local medical back-up might be in shorter supply. In response, the grandest and most well-equipped superyachts can be kitted out with fully functioning hospitals, manned by dedicated medical staff, to provide reassurance.
Kaos (ex-Jubilee)
Citadel Rooms
In the extremely rare case that an unwanted visitor boards their yacht, some owners like the reassurance of a secure location to go to. These places are known as ‘citadels’, and they were first put to use in commercial shipping before crossing over to yachting.
Citadels are kitted out with independent, overriding access to the yacht’s navigational and satellite communications systems, so even when you don’t have access to the bridge, you can maintain full control. The rooms themselves are fitted with reinforced doors and have ballistic protection on the surrounding walls. Inside, they are equipped with their own ventilation systems as well as water and food supplies to provide total self-sufficiency.
Emergency escape ‘life-pods’ for a rapid getaway
And the next generation of citadels could be distinctly more mobile. Like crossing a lifeboat with a space ship, these emergency escape ‘Life-Pods’ provide a rapid getaway. The watertight pods are constructed from high-tech materials to resist impact and feature built-in GPS trackers, temperature and fire barrier controls, and air purification systems.
Anti-drone systems
In recent years, drones have been making headlines for their interference with commercial airports, and the military have been particularly keen to curb their capability to spy on top secret locations. As well as being a handy tool for the paparazzi to get up-close shots of a superyacht’s private enclaves and the guests within them, those involved in the murky waters of industrial espionage can thank drones for greatly increasing their capabilities, too.
But a new generation of devices to detect and defeat these drones is emerging to neutralize the occasional threats to privacy and security on yachts. One such defense system identifies any commercial drones in operation within a 20 kilometer radius, providing GPS positions of both the drone and the pilot as well as an indication of said drone’s heading and speed.
Outfitting facilities
A 500-meter electronic ‘exclusion zone’ around the yacht
Once the drone threat has been confirmed, the system engages a 500-meter-plus electronic ‘exclusion zone’ around the yacht (not unlike the force fields we are used to seeing in sci-fi films) that blocks any unwanted airborne visitors. If the drone makes it to the perimeter of the exclusion zone, its controls and video feed are jammed, effectively rendering the pilot’s controls useless, and its ‘return to home’ function (which usually kicks in when the drone has a low battery) is triggered.
Acoustic deterrents
The Long-Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD for short, is an acoustic deterrent that was originally developed for military use. But as the threat of piracy to commercial shipping and yachting in certain areas such as the Gulf of Aden grew over recent decades, the device has been adopted to deter unwelcome visitors in non-military settings.
Intruder diver detectors
Think someone could sneak up on a superyacht by pulling on a wet suit and scuba gear? Think again, as some superyachts are choosing to install sonar systems that detect, track and identify divers or underwater vehicles approaching from any direction.
Keeping sonar environmentally friendly
Sonardyne’s Sentinel Intruder Detection Sonar is the world’s most widely deployed system of its kind, used by naval vessels, commercial harbors and luxury yachts alike. With a functional range of up to 900 meters for diver detection, it is man-portable, making it particularly quick to deploy, and it can even be placed on the yacht’s tenders to increase your scope of situational awareness. What’s more, the manufacturer has created the system to be environmentally friendly, so it won’t have an adverse effect on the local sea life.
Onboard hospitals
Perhaps a yacht is expecting to travel to remote regions where on-the-ground medical support is less accessible. Or maybe the Owners are more mature and have specific conditions that mean they seek the reassurance of an onsite doctor or nurse. Either way, an onboard hospital is not an uncommon request for custom superyacht builders.
Emergency facilities like a private hospital
Kitted out like an emergency room of a private hospital, they are equipped with oxygen tanks, defibrillators, specialized medications and intravenous fluids, while a number of yachts offer rehabilitation machines for injuries, such as decompression chambers for those who are planning on some serious scuba diving expeditions. And should a patient require further medical attention, most of today’s large yachts have a helipad with the possibility of bringing in medic air services to the yacht, or heli-evacuating them away to a larger facility ashore.
A doctor on-call
Remember the scene in Casino Royale where James Bond hooks himself up to a remote medical diagnostic system and the doctors talk him through his medical emergency with all his vitals up on their screens? Well, that scene is less fictional than you might at first have thought.
With the right diagnostic kit placed onboard, crew or even medical professionals can link up to a remote medical support line such as MedAire from International SOS, allowing a team of doctors to see the patient’s condition in real time and provide advice on procedures or medication in order to stabilize the patient.
Before an emergency has even arisen, the telehealth consultants will often provide guidance on medical room design and ventilation, lighting and medical wash facilities, as well as what diagnostic equipment to place onboard. Who needs the flying doctors when you can beam them into wherever you are in the world at a moment’s notice?
A cyber security net
Just as any home or office will likely choose to protect itself from outsiders accessing private and personal data, any superyacht could be vulnerable to cyber threats. With the increasing preponderance of wirelessly controlled systems featured onboard, those yachts that do not provide themselves with an added layer of technological security can leave themselves open to hacking. Oceanco works with a select range of top-tier cyber security professionals to ensure that its yachts are built with the kind of network protections that will keep its owners and crew safe, through a combination of initial risk assessments during the development phase of a project and ongoing upgrades as the digital landscape evolves.
Bravo Eugenia
Smart floors that track movement
Currently in development, these smart floors are like an upgraded surveillance system for the 21st century. A step beyond conventional security cameras, they are minimally invasive in the sense that they have no impact on an owner’s or guest’s experience of a room and their privacy within it, while also being able to alert the bridge if someone unexpectedly enters. And over time, the smart floor creates a digital pressure video of the visitor’s movement that can be tracked and re-evaluated. This makes them suitable for very private spaces, like bathrooms and bedrooms. The smart floors can also be used beyond security measures, to automatically switch lighting or heating and air conditioning systems on and off, allowing the yacht to become more energy efficient and therefore sustainable.
Oceanco was established in 1987 by a group of South African private investors led by CEO, Richard Hein. The company built hulls and superstructures in South Africa before transporting them to various facilities in The Netherlands for fittings. Oceanco Yachts builds luxury yachts from 80m to 110m in steel and aluminum.
Credits: Oceanco; Francisco Martinez; Tom Van Oossanen
CNB Yachts has unveiled its latest project, the CNB 62, positioning it as an elegant and powerful world cruiser. With three units already sold, the first hull is being fitted out in the state-of-the-art Solaris shipyard in Aquileia, Italy, ahead of its delivery this spring. The remaining units will be delivered by year’s end, a strong indication of the yacht’s early success and appeal.Brand Director Vincent Arnaud describes the CNB 62 as “a perfect example of the CNB spirit,” combining seaworthiness, manageability, and style. Designed by Philippe Briand, the yacht is the successor to the CNB Bordeaux 60, inheriting its balanced, powerful hull and extensive sail plan, making it ideal for ocean cruising.The CNB 62 has been tailored for private owners seeking privacy without requiring a professional crew. Its cockpit design allows single-handed sailing, with lines accessible from the helmsman’s position. The Targa bar, crafted from carbon, keeps the mainsheet out of the cockpit, enhancing safety and functionality.The yacht also features an integrated tender garage and a spacious layout. The forward owner’s suite offers privacy, while the aft cabins accommodate family or guests comfortably. With customizable interiors, the CNB 62 combines performance and luxury, marking a new chapter for CNB Yachts.CNB was founded in Bordeaux in 1987 by two passionate sailors and was integrated into the Beneteau Group in 1992. Until 2008, the company only built custom yachts, the last of which was the 30-meter Chrisco. From 2009, CNB focused on semi-custom yachts and launched very successful models with the Bordeaux 60, the CNB 66 and the CNB 76. In 2021, Solaris took over the brand and integrated CNB production in Aquileia, the Solaris site on the Italian Adriatic. The current model portfolio consists of the CNB 62, the CNB 78 and the CNB 88.Credits: CNB Yachts
January 10, 2025
The Italian Sea Group has announced a significant increase in sales of the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 motor yacht, a collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini that has gained global recognition since its launch in 2020. The yacht’s distinct combination of sporty aesthetics, luxurious features, and impressive performance has resonated with owners worldwide, including families and female buyers.The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 has been a standout presence across the Mediterranean, frequenting destinations such as Monaco, Cannes, Ibiza, and Capri. Beyond Europe, its reduced draft has facilitated its popularity across the United States, spanning the East and West Coasts. The yacht has also found success in the Middle East, with notable adoption by superyacht owners in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, further bolstering the Group’s reputation in the region. In the Asia-Pacific region, the vessel’s presence in Sydney and Perth harbors signifies another milestone in its international appeal.Designed to embody Lamborghini’s automotive essence, the yacht features advanced performance capabilities, cutting-edge technology, and Italian design. It has earned accolades such as Robb Report’s “Best Motor Yacht Weekend Cruiser” and the International Yacht & Aviation Award for “Motor Yacht under 25 meters.”Collaborations with Acqua Marine Yacht Monaco and CRM Maritime Ventures LTD aim to expand the Tecnomar brand further, ensuring its ongoing global success.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: The Italian Sea Group
January 10, 2025
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January 10, 2025
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January 9, 2025
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January 9, 2025