Titans of Tech: Yacht Crew in Tech

It’s no secret that yacht crew are a talented bunch capable of almost anything. These six current and former crewmembers have made a name for themselves in tech both in and outside the yachting industry. Next time you want to upgrade your onboard systems, consider switching to one of these crew-owned companies.

Wolfgang

Founder: Captains Matthias du Verle and Anthony Flores

Users: Captains

Wolfgang’s platform creates secured cruise agreements as an alternative to traditional charter contracts, cutting costs by up to 20% through optimized fuel and tax planning. Its all-inclusive service ensures compliance and safe operations by coordinating closely with the captain and relevant parties.

“While Anthony and I primarily sailed on private yachts, our solution is primarily focused on charter yachts, which freed us when we considered challenging the status quo!” du Verle said. While he is now ashore full-time, Flores still captains a yacht in France. Both are merchant marine-trained class 1 captains and worked as a chief engineer or captain aboard vessels in the 40- to 70-meter range. “The original idea grew from both the total dedication to clients’ best interests and satisfaction that comes with working for the same family for years and our shipping and cruise backgrounds, where we learned about efficiency and how you can deliver a better and more optimized service without harming its level of quality by leveraging data and tech. We recognized a gap in the market for an experience that better aligns with the needs of certain clients and owners. Some are reassured when more planning is involved and appreciate when the costs are better estimated and optimized: those are the clients for Wolfgang’s solutions.”

Wolfgang plans to release the beta version of their new environmental management platform for marinas this winter as part of an R&D program with research labs and marinas in Antibes, Nice, and more. Using computer vision and AI, they aim to model and minimize yachts’ environmental impact, improving their system’s ability to support eco-friendly cruise planning. New tools for captains and crew will help reduce resource consumption and waste.

Charter Itinerary

Founders: Co-founder/CEO Boris de Bel, former first mate, and Candice Christiansen

Users: Captains, pursers and HoDs, charter brokers, and central agents

Charter Itinerary (CI) is B2B software tailored specifically for the charter industry, equipping charter brokers, agents, captains, and other professionals with tools for efficient charter planning and management. CI gives crew instant access to essential tools and data, allowing them to create detailed itineraries in minutes and manage guest preferences in one central, easily updated location. Designed to save time, CI helps crew focus on delivering an exceptional experience for guests.

“The idea for CI came from my first business, a yacht charter company,” de Bel said. “With my business partner, Candice, we quickly realized that an army of charter brokers and assistants were doing tasks that one or two people could have managed with the right tools. She had been looking for a solution to elegantly map yacht charter routes that simply didn’t exist. Nor was there any tool to help brokers and captains create a product to match the luxurious market they catered [to]. This gap in tech was just as clear on board, where crew were spending hours on repetitive tasks that could easily be streamlined or automated. That’s where CI came in.”

CI is introducing a new plan to help captains make planning more precise and operations smoother, including a Daily Schedule for captains to precisely plan each day; itinerary PDFs that allow users to download and share polished itineraries in PDF format; block days for extended journeys or anchorages; and enhanced accuracy for managing multi-day stays and transitions. Captains can test CI on a trial period.

Mariners Log Engineering

Founder: Ken Sinclair, former yacht engineer

Users: Crew, managers, owners

Mariners Log upgrades outdated systems with a predictive maintenance platform, using machinery data and machine learning to anticipate breakdowns and issues before they happen. Additionally, it streamlines administration for engineering, deck, and interior teams by integrating project management, communication, and customizable digital logs and checklists, enhancing transparency and productivity. Mariners Log also offers safety checklists that meet IMO standards, with customizable logs and checklists for all operational needs.

“As an engineer, you are motivated by efficiency and problem-solving. Working in the commercial maritime and superyacht sectors, I saw inefficient, costly, and outdated systems on board, especially the reliance on planned and reactive maintenance,” said Sinclair, who worked in the engineering department from tender engineer to chief engineer on superyachts from 30 to 90 meters. “These practices inflate costs, compromise reliability and safety, and shorten equipment lifespan. Witnessing these gaps firsthand motivated me to create Mariners Log — a modern, data-driven solution that not only addresses these critical needs but also reduces the yacht’s carbon footprint by enabling more efficient operation.” Sinclair launched his business in 2021 and continues to build it while completing his MBA. 

Mariners Log is launching a new Maintenance Platform in November 2024. The release will improve efficiency, boost safety, and usher in a new era of innovation for yachting. To request a demo, email [email protected].

Sevenstar

Founder: Ciara Farrow, former purser and stew

Users: stews, chefs, and captains

Sevenstar is a digital platform that centralizes and streamlines the management of yacht guests’ preferences and charter provisioning needs. It enables the crew to create detailed guest profiles, covering dietary restrictions, personal preferences, recipes, and set-up photos on yacht-branded digital preference forms. Each form is conditional, opening and closing based on the user’s responses. These guest profiles are securely stored in the cloud for easy access, updates, and yacht-specific customization. By eliminating outdated methods, Sevenstar enables captains, chefs, and stews to provide more efficient personalized service and reduce errors. Everything is customizable for each vessel.

“After working on more than a dozen vessels and experiencing first-hand the chaos and inefficiencies tied to outdated preference management, I saw a clear need for a modern solution,” Farrow said. “I often found myself and others trying to keep track of guest preferences through printed sheets, run-on Word documents, and Post-it notes. It became clear that a digital, centralized system would not only save time but also ensure a seamless guest experience, regardless of crew turnover.” Farrow worked as a stew and purser in yachting for seven years before moving ashore. 

Sevenstar continues to evolve based on user feedback. Farrow shares that they’re currently exploring features to speed up preference updates, including AI chatbots that assist the crew in locating key information quickly, help update guest info through automated emails to returning guests, and automatically update crew view profiles.

Superyacht Operating Systems (SOS)

Founder: Capt. David Clarke

Users: All crew and guests

SOS creates innovative software solutions to streamline superyacht operations, eliminate redundant entries, and save crew time. SOS products include vessel management software, compliance and interior solutions, digital SOP systems for quick new-build setup, and a digital guest service management app. SOS caters to private yachts, Mini ISM, Full ISM, and passenger vessels; their tools enhance daily operations by reducing paperwork, improving communication, and optimizing task management for a more efficient, organized, and safer work environment. 

“I created Superyacht Operating Systems after facing challenges as a build captain on a 240-foot yacht. My team and I spent many months developing comprehensive SOPs from scratch, which became the gold standard for our yacht’s operations,” said Clark, who was a superyacht captain for 28 years. “Realizing that much of the information was universally relevant to all yachts, we initially created a free SOP library that became extremely popular. Although we no longer offer the free library, our reputation as SOP experts has endured. I was also frustrated with time-consuming compliance processes and inadequate software systems, so I set out to develop a more modern, user-friendly, and efficient system.” 

Their latest product, Charter Guest, replaces traditional leather folders with a digital platform, allowing instant updates to the iPad app without reprints. Featuring an AI-driven itinerary builder, Charter Guest makes it easy to personalize guest experiences and manage cruising schedules. It offers a seamless way to present yacht details, guest services, toys, menus, safety info, and crew bios, enhancing communication and the overall charter experience. 

SwipedOn

Founder: Hadleigh Ford, former captain/first mate

Users: Captains and chief officers 

SwipedOn is a digital visitor management system that replaces paper sign-in sheets and in/out boards. It streamlines and secures guest, crew, and contractor sign-ins on yachts and businesses ashore for increased efficiency. SwipedOn’s goal is to make that initial interaction both professional and efficient. The system saves time and enhances crew safety, plus it allows visitor pre-registration and sends notifications upon guest arrival at the vessel. Launched in 2013 with superyachts in mind, SwipedOn now serves more than 9,000 locations, primarily in workplaces and offices.

“Working on superyachts, I saw firsthand how clunky it was to manage visitors and contractors using paper logbooks — and when alongside, it wasn’t easy to accurately know who was on board at a glance, [which is] especially valuable in an emergency,” said Ford, who is a master mariner and worked on superyachts for seven years. “I realized we needed a more professional and efficient system that fit the high standards of the industry. That’s what sparked the idea for SwipedOn: a tablet-based sign-in system that streamlines visitor and crew sign-in.” 

SwipedOn has a few new upgrades coming in 2025, including one recent feature delivered specifically for superyachts regarding ISPS and randomized bag searching — the crew can assign random bag or personnel searches depending on the security level aboard. “It was a proud moment to deliver a superyacht-specific feature, as the majority of our new features are broad and applicable to all users,” Ford said. “It’s a joy to be building this product all aimed at making your life on board smoother and more efficient.”

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