A comprehensive guide for captains to ensure a reliable internet experience on board, from Ernesto Esposito, Sales Engineering Manager at Omniaccess.
A year ago, Starlink was the talk of the industry, buzzing social media and crew messaging groups as each new satellite was launched. Now, most yachts have at least one antenna and the service works flawlessly in popular areas. Crew and guests enjoy seamless internet for entertainment and business, consuming vast amounts of data each month. So is internet on yachts finally solved? Well, it's almost solved…
The advent of near-unlimited internet on yachts has revealed new challenges for captains, ETOs, management and owners. These include external factors such as political licensing issues, inconsistent service and occasional outages. Internally, yachts require a robust network infrastructure to meet the high expectations of their guests.
Managing these expectations is crucial as increased internet usage brings with it unprecedented challenges. With rising expectations comes increased usage, which has led to a surge in cyber attacks in the maritime sector. The main causes are uninformed internet behavior and poorly prepared IT infrastructure lacking a cybersecurity strategy.
New challenges, new solutions
Captains and engineers need innovative solutions to ensure a reliable internet experience. Bonding technology that combines multiple internet sources is key. Replicating data packets across multiple connections increases stability and redundancy for all applications. To manage data consumption, solutions that only replicate specific applications such as Zoom or WhatsApp calling are recommended, ensuring business continuity for guests and owners. LEO technology comes with its own challenges, requiring earth stations to be distributed around the world.
Depending on your yacht's location, your connection will be periodically assigned to a local ground station, which may result in you receiving content from unexpected regions. A managed ISP solution can help you receive content directly from your preferred regions without any restrictions.
Cybersecurity is another key area, with traditional systems unable to keep up with advanced threats. New solutions incorporating next-generation firewalls provide the threat intelligence needed and can be managed through a simple, multi-service user interface, allowing engineers to do more in less time.
Captain's Choice
When making decisions and budgeting, captains and engineers are often faced with doubts and uncertainties, especially when they are not always informed about the latest market innovations and upcoming technologies. Staying ahead of guest expectations is crucial, which is where expert advice becomes crucial. Together with industry experts, we have created a comprehensive guide to help you navigate these challenges and make the best choices for a secure onboard network and an unparalleled digital experience.
Assess your needs: Where will you sail?
The first important question to ask is “Where are you sailing?” The answer will determine your connection type and your assessment of expected performance. Here are some typical scenarios to consider:
Scenario 1: A yacht sailing in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. These areas are well covered by Starlink and soon OneWeb. It is recommended to have at least two antennas to increase your data bundle and ensure redundancy. Additionally, in areas where LEO licenses have not yet been granted, it is wise to have a backup internet source such as VSAT or 5G. Combining these services with a next-generation firewall and ongoing support ensures reliable service and peace of mind.
Scenario 2: Global Exploration Yacht. For yachts exploring different parts of the world, a detailed assessment of the planned itinerary and available internet services is essential. Starlink may be the primary connectivity service, but VSAT remains beneficial in areas with low satellite density. VSAT's global coverage and guaranteed bandwidth support critical real-time applications. 5G may be unreliable in developing countries, so maintaining VSAT antennas is essential.
Scenario 3: Yacht undergoing refurbishment. The refurbishment period is the perfect time to review and upgrade your current setup. Modernizing your network infrastructure, strengthening cyber security, and installing additional cables and antennas to prepare for future technologies are key steps to take during this phase.
What's next: Future-proofing yacht connectivity
Looking ahead, the yacht Internet technology landscape will continue to rapidly evolve, bringing both opportunity and complexity. The emergence of new technologies makes choosing the right solution even more challenging. More options can mean more time constraints and more challenges to manage efficiently.
Captains and ETOs must decide whether to contract each technology separately with a different partner, manage everything through one overarching partner, or move toward contracting for a holistic solution rather than individual technologies. The latter will result in having a single managed service provider that combines the best available technologies into a seamless, integrated solution, ensuring the industry continues to adapt and stay up to date with advancements.
Key considerations for future-proofing your fleet
1. Evaluate contract options
• Individual contracts: offer flexibility but can be complex to administer.
• Single comprehensive partner: Simplifies management but requires trust in the expertise of one provider.
• Complete solution provider: Offers integrated, modern technology with low management overhead.
2. Ensuring Cybersecurity
It incorporates a next-generation firewall and powerful cybersecurity measures to protect against advanced threats.
3. Stay up to date
Stay up to date with the latest information to ensure you receive the best service and solutions.
4. Expert guidance
To get customized solutions and ongoing support, choose a technology provider who is an expert in their field.
Addressing the complexities of yacht connectivity requires foresight, expert guidance and a strategic approach. By evaluating contracting options – be it individual agreements, a single all-inclusive partner or a holistic solutions provider – you can ensure robust cyber security, stay informed about innovations and future-proof your yacht’s internet connectivity and onboard operations by selecting a specialist technology provider.
This approach not only simplifies management and reduces the burden on crew, but also ensures a seamless, efficient and secure digital experience that meets the expectations of both crew and guests.
This article first appeared in The Superyacht Report – Captains Focus To access The Superyacht Group’s full suite of content, publications, events and services, click here to join The Superyacht Group community and become one of our members.
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