Beyond the Tow Line

HOW YACHT TRACE IS PROTECTING SUPERYACHT TENDERS AT SEA For owners who move between superyachts and private jets, seamless travel demands systems that protect every asset along the way By Rebecca Whitlocke

Great ideas often start with a simple problem. For many superyacht captains and yacht owners, that problem was tender protection. Tenders and chase boats – often worth hundreds of thousands or even millions – were sinking, drifting away, or vanishing during long passages. Night towing made matters worse. Traditional AIS trackers can show where a vessel had been. They could not warn if something was going wrong.

Today, superyachts of varying sizes operate with multiple tenders and chase boats. These boats carry guests ashore, explore secluded anchorages and support everything from diving to water sports. Yacht Trace recognised the problem early. Conversations with captains and marine insurers pointed to three priorities: clear oversight, early alerts and a system with its own dedicated link.

The real value for ultrahigh-net-worth owners lies in Yacht Trace’s bespoke element. Dr Dan Rogers leads the development; his background spans robotics, unmanned systems, embedded hardware and battery technology. His expertise informs the philosophy behind Yacht Trace systems: built to perform reliably in complex environments.

Rather than adapting off-the-shelf technology, Yacht Trace’s systems are designed in-house with two-way communication and RF monitoring. This allows crews to monitor tenders in real-time and interact with them remotely if required. The system continuously measures the distance between the mothership and the tender, both underway or stationary.

This anti-theft focus means Iridium satellite backup is included as standard for worldwide tracking if the tender moves beyond RF range. For captains managing long passages or night towing, it adds a new layer of confidence. Sensors detect water ingress, battery voltage and movement changes such as pitch or roll. If the tow line breaks or the tender drifts outside a dynamic geofence, alerts trigger instantly.

Recent projects include a 4,000-nautical-mile Pacific crossing where a Viking 48 tender was towed behind a mothership. Our system had an additional bespoke option of the prop shaft monitor to prevent engine damage during the voyage. Another owner requested custom sensors for hybrid tenders, with integrated additional monitoring to ensure battery stability during long passages.

Each installation has its own dedicated link. The hardware sits within a compact protective case and can be fitted by crew in about an hour. Yacht Trace monitoring appears in underwriting guidance from many major marine insurers. In numerous instances it allows extended towing distances, night towing and remote-area operations that would otherwise be restricted. Some policies even offer improved deductibles when approved tender protection is in place.

For owners, the benefit goes beyond insurance compliance. A lost tender can disrupt a charter schedule, compromise logistics and affect the reputation of an otherwise uneventful voyage. Preventing that risk protects both the asset and the guest experience – ensuring the smallest vessel in the fleet receives the same level of attention as the largest.

www.yachttrace.com