Successful superyacht technology is not just defined during commissioning, when engineers are fine-tuning systems and running tests. It's when the owner steps aboard with guests, reaches for a remote and expects everything to work instantly. But behind that seamless experience is the crew, who need the tools, control and support to make it all possible without technology becoming another encumbrance.
For more than a decade, boutique AV/IT integrator ONEXP has designed and delivered technology systems for superyachts ranging from 25 to 140+ metres. What makes the company's approach different is its recognition that there are essentially two users of yacht technology: the owner or guest, who wants technology to be effortless and almost invisible, and the crew, who need to be empowered to operate, maintain and troubleshoot those systems behind the scenes.
"We realised that helping the crew provide that experience to an owner is actually key in what we do, because they need to maintain it and they need to make sure that our systems are ready for when the owner or guests step on board," explains Bas Nuijten, chief strategy officer at ONEXP.
When simple for the owner means complex behind the scenes
Owners generally don't think much about the technology itself. They simply want it to work. When they want to stream a show, adjust the lighting or connect to the internet, the system should respond immediately.
This expectation has only intensified in recent years. Six years ago, ONEXP was building onboard video-on-demand (VOD) systems to give owners access to entertainment libraries. Today, owners expect the yacht to function exactly like their homes, with access to Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming services, regardless of where the yacht is cruising. "If an American owner wants to watch his shows from America while he is in France, that creates a challenge. But we know how to face it,” Nuijten says.
What the owner experiences as simple - pressing play on a streaming service or adjusting cabin lighting - can require significant complexity behind the scenes. And that complexity needs to be managed in a way that doesn't become a burden for the crew.
ONEXP's portfolio includes some ambitious and technically complex AV/IT projects: onboard cinemas, videowalls that transform spaces and golf simulators installed on outdoor decks. Each project begins with the same question: what does the owner really want?
“For example, you can make cinemas, speakers and internet connections as great and as beautiful as you want, but if the owner only wants to read a book on a tablet, then you don't need a TV on the wall,” Nuijten explains. “In this scenario, we would do both. Where we choose not to put TVs on the wall, but we leave the cabling in there so if the boat is sold in the future, you still have the value of a complete system because you can easily add it without a major refit straight away."
Building complexity that crew can manage
The golf simulator project is a particularly strong example of how simple for the owner does not mean simple to build. The installation required coordination between the designer, the owner's team, the shipyard and even the owner's golf coach. The simulator influenced the exterior lines of the vessel and required custom metalwork. A high-brightness projector needed a specialised cooling solution. Even the golf balls had to be selected specifically for the simulator.
The end result for the owner is straightforward: they want to play golf. But delivering that experience required managing a huge amount of complexity behind the scenes to make it feel effortless.
One of ONEXP's signature practices is the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). Unlike traditional FATs, which are often limited to basic demonstrations, ONEXP pre-commissions the entire system up to 80 per cent completion before the FAT stage. This allows the owner's team, designers and other stakeholders to test the system, request edits and identify any issues - long before the final delivery deadline.
"We did an FAT entirely for the golf simulator, so all the irregularities were worked out. The software was working well and we even changed the microphone used for hitting the golf ball. You don't want to be figuring these things out in the last month of commissioning."
This approach also protects the crew. By identifying and resolving issues before the yacht is operational, ONEXP ensures that problems don't become the crew's responsibility once the owner is on board.
Giving crew control without the burden
For yacht crew, the technology is a tool they need to master, maintain and troubleshoot - often under pressure. If something goes wrong, they're the first line of defence. If the owner makes a last-minute request, they're the ones who need to deliver. But crew shouldn't need to be programmers to solve everyday AV/IT issues.
"Technology needs to be helpful and not a strain," Nuijten emphasises. "This is where we, as a company, try to make a true difference. We help them go the extra mile for the guests and the owner."
One of the ways ONEXP achieves this is by giving crew the appropriate level of control without overwhelming them with complexity. The company's Omniyon platform is a media and control system designed to solve this problem. It gives crew direct oversight over most AV/IT functions without needing to call in a programmer or wait for external support. If the owner requests a new TV channel while cruising in a remote location, the crew can install it themselves. If a setting needs adjustment, they can make the change through an intuitive interface designed to minimise mistakes and maximise speed.
"We actually started the Omniyon platform because we wanted an alternative to the solutions available that were only available in English. While our clients speak English, they had family that didn't, so we wanted to bring a solution for that," Nuijten explains. “We are in the process of making a new interface to make the experience even more intuitive and good-looking," Nuijten says. "With our new interface, we will continue to support our existing systems and existing clients with the older interface."
Supporting crew means protecting the owner experience
But empowerment doesn't mean leaving the crew on their own. ONEXP also recognises that not every problem can be solved by the crew alone. That's why the company offers 24/7 technical support, with engineers available around the clock to help troubleshoot issues remotely. The model is straightforward: crew have control, crew can solve most everyday issues and specialist support is available when they need it. "Technology will run into problems. The way we build our systems means that you can fix issues quickly,” Nuijten says. “If you aren't able to fix it yourself, we are always on the other end of the phone.”
The best yacht technology is the technology the owner doesn't have to think about. But achieving that simplicity requires a crew that has the right tools, control and support behind the scenes. Technology should disappear for the owner, while the crew should feel empowered to use it. And ONEXP's role is to make those two things possible at the same time.
For more information about ONEXP's AV/IT integration services, bespoke projects and the OMNIYON platform, visit the ONEXP website or contact the team directly to discuss your yacht's technology needs.
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