superyacht av

Six superyacht entertainment & AV technology trends

When it comes to the superyacht industry, owners often like to have the very best and latest technology, and home entertainment and AV systems are no exception. Yachting Pages looks at some of the most recent trends and innovations in yacht AV and entertainment , with help from the experts.

Entertainment and AV is an ever-evolving business, with incremental changes continually being the “next big thing.

4K television, more commonly known as Ultra High Definition (UHD), is the most obvious current trend in the A/V industry, and the next few years is set to see more of the same.

The 4K technology is becoming more popular with superyachts in onboard cinema rooms, according to David Milner, managing director at Veritais . He said, “4K Ultra HD TVs deliver four times as much detail as current generation 1080p Full HD; that’s eight million pixels, as opposed to two million.

“What that means in terms of potential is that image clarity is in much finer detail, and has greater texture and photographic smoothness.”

With 4K now so popular, owners will soon move on to what is perceived to be bigger and better, and in the case of 4K, it will soon be 8K, which is said to be around four years from being sold mainstream.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) TVs are also starting to appear in the market and could offer a better alternative to LED TVs for superyachts in the future. According to Mark from Navicomm , OLED TVs are brighter, more efficient and thinner than traditional LED TVs. “I believe we will start to see more flat panel OLED TVs appear as OLED technology offers several advantages over LCD technology.”

The advantages offered for OLED TVs include a faster refresh rate, better contrast and colour reproduction, and are considered greener, as they draw less power. The TVs are thin and light, with the OLED TVs of today just 4mm thick, offering a better viewing angle - almost 180 degrees.

DOLBY Atmos

DOLBY Atmos is an exciting A/V technology, popular in residential cinemas. Originally a speaker surround sound configuration for commercial cinema applications, Atmos technology has rapidly found its way into the residential cinema market. Many mid-high end AV receivers now implement the Atmos format, allowing users to create a commercial cinema effect in their own home cinema.

David at Veritais notes an increase in popularity of what are called, “ultimate experiences”, particularly Dolby Atmos, which enables sound to come from all directions, providing “top end clarity, richness, detail and depth.”

There is a perception that Atmos would not be suitable for superyachts, people often think that Atmos is a hardware requirement needing lots and lots of speakers and so couldn’t be applied to superyachts. It’s not.

Atmos is a digital encoding technique, which removes the individual channel encoding of a traditional surround system and instead creates a single mix with audio objects encoded in specific audio locations for recreation by the physically installed system.

Smart superyachts

With the advance of tablets and new technologies such as the Apple Watch, clients are demanding more convenience when it comes to being able to control multiple systems from one device, from their television to their lighting. Lighting in particular, is still of major importance when creating an amazing AV experience for a superyacht owner.

Users are demanding more convenience now that they are comfortable with more traditional technologies. The entertainment arena is becoming a much more personal affair, with tablets and smart phones adjusting people’s views on how A/V can be delivered and connected.

Wireless connection is a must rather than an option, multi-format transmission is highly important and the ability to bring everything together coherently on a device, which can both deliver and control the content distribution is highly desirable.

One particularly interesting example of integrated systems on board is the Living Technology System from Van Berge Henegouwen , which uses the Apple Watch and Pivot Control application, and features in the Robb Report's Top 5 Superyacht Technology Trends . The system offers everything from calling a crew member and alerting crew when guests are awake, to enabling guests to control the lighting, curtains and entertainment systems from their Apple Watch.

Another groundbreaking brand is Savant, endorsed by gadget experts Tech Radar , and responsible for installing high-end systems on board Steve Jobs' superyacht, Venus.

Hidden speaker systems

Innovative hidden speaker systems are based upon the concept of reproducing sound from a vibrating surface, just like that of a natural musical instrument, rather than the usual piston like approach of the conventional speaker.

Designed as flat panelled products, they are able to be installed into walls or ceilings by replacing a cut-away section of plasterboard, before the final skim of plaster is applied. However hidden speakers can general be applied within many other materials, including wood, veneered surfaces and leather-clad panels.

Hidden speaker systems are beneficial to interior designers, as they allow more freedom and less interference with the overall design of a room. Richard Newlove from Amina Technologies, a specialist in hidden speaker technology says, “People who want stunning aesthetics and high clarity sound want to use our speakers, because conventional “dinner plate” ceiling loudspeakers can ruin the design, be it a home or in a marine environment.”

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Augmented reality and virtual reality are becoming ever more popular, and not just in terms of entertainment.

Many yacht designers are now working with VR specialists to develop an immersive experience, whereby potential owners can 'step on board' a new superyacht concept. For example, at September's Monaco Yacht Show, VR specialist Bricks & Goggles provided a virtual tour of new superyacht concept Project Raptor .

Hammerhead is another company working with Sunseeker to produce immersive superyacht product experiences for Oculus Rift.

Augmented reality applications are starting to emerge as entertainment on-board, but are typically more of a niche appeal compared to more traditional content-based offerings – at the moment they are often reserved for show spaces, almost as a curiosity or something unique to give an ‘edge’ over other vessels.

However, the landscape is changing and the interactive nature of AR systems is ensuring that they are becoming more in demand, as tastes and fashions change. As this happens, the frequency of AR applications and their installations increase.

What does the future hold?

Technology is known for its incredible fast-moving development, and with trends often changing every few months or year, a lot can change during three years, the average time of a superyacht build.

One trend has grown hugely, is on-demand content, however this is certainly not without its challenges when it comes to superyachts. On-demand culture is a big growth area and is continuing to become one of the most desirable aspects of a system.

The challenges associated with internet bandwidth and data allowances at sea are well documented, and can incur large costs, but the prevalence of superfast broadband for land based customers, means that a large proportion of the market is heading towards streaming solutions.

With this in mind, yacht-specific systems are gaining ground over some of the better-known, land-centric competitors.

Another interesting trend taking off is transparent touch screen displays , created by luxury tech specialist, Taptl.

Like what you've seen? Search for an Entertainment & AV specialist near you right now!

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• Aug 11, 2022

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN UPGRADING YOUR YACHTS AV/IT SYSTEMS

Updated: Aug 24, 2022

Friday 12 August, 2022

Superyacht AV/IT systems evolve year-on-year, as newer technology comes to the market. It’s important that your yachts crew and engineers are able to work with a company that will help your superyacht keep up with the latest trends.

A fast Wi-Fi coverage is vital. Guests will always require not only constant connectivity but the fastest available. It’s important to have the technology aboard to integrate the Wi-Fi protocol embedded in the latest phone or gadget release. Without the latest hardware, so often these new devices will underperform, and leave your engineer explaining to guests why the issue is not such an easy fix.

A fast reliable internet connection can also be managed financially, as well as technically, dividing the bandwidth according to whether guests are onboard or not, or to certain areas of the yacht. Different speeds can be allocated during the day, as well as being cut during shipyard and maintenance periods.

A great sounding audio system is a must as well, most especially if you know your yacht is going to be used for parties or entertaining. ‘Great sounding’ though doesn’t necessarily have to mean loud, as crisp quality background audio always works as a great touch, especially with the ability to pump that volume up with no loss of quality.

Offshore technical support is crucial, ensuring systems remain reliable and up to speed. It means that the engineers and crew are spending a lot less time troubleshooting AV/IT issues and more time keeping the yacht operating. Often, it’s the systems that are most problematic where management has cut back on in budget. Product quality depreciates and UPS’s (uninterrupted power supply) are removed from the budget which leads to frustrated crew, poor user experience and guest complaints.

Investing in the latest tech will not only improve the quality of the systems onboard but amaze your guests as well. Whether they be foldaway TV’s or quality speakers, the latest in AV/IT systems update the yacht’s capability to entertain and impress.

For more information about upgrading your AV/IT systems or superyacht management, get in touch with the SWM Yachts yacht management team at [email protected] to arrange a consultation on your superyacht ownership needs.

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The Distinction Between AV/IT and ETO Roles and Certification

The subject of AV/IT and ETO roles is a popular one that I would like to explore in this article, with an exclusive insight into a future superyacht AV/IT certification.

Let’s kick things off with a reminder of the difference between the roles of superyacht AV/IT officer and electro-technical officer, otherwise known as an ETO. 

The AV/IT officer position on board generally encompasses interior automation, entertainment, IT and some satellite systems. Essentially, they oversee the technology systems beyond the remit of a traditional ETO, which are marine electrical and electronics.

In the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments, the ETO’s remit was covered by a new Certificate of Competency (CoC) under regulation iii/6. Furthermore, all crew sailing under the job title of ETO should now hold this ticket.

Paragraph 1.5 of MSN 1860 states that: “If you are employed on a ship as an ETO, you must hold an STCW ETO Certificate of Competency whether or not an ETO is listed on the SMD (safe manning document)”. Where appropriate, however, vessels should have moved away from this job title. Most have, but the superyacht sector often still refers to an ETO instead of an AV/IT.

A person can fulfil either or both roles, however AV/IT has nothing to do with the role of the ETO - they are completely different. For years before the Amendments, superyachts interpreted the ETO role to include the ever-growing consumer technologies and IT on board, possibly because they rarely carried an IT officer, as they do on board a cruise ship. Understandable, but it is now more important than ever to distinguish between the two roles.

STCW 2010 should have helped clear this up, with an ETO role now clearly defined, regardless of the marine sector. Yet the superyacht sector continues to misuse the term.

So, with requirements for ETO certification in place, where does that leave us on the crucial matter of AV/IT training?

The need for AV/IT officers and certification

In 2007, the first iPhone arrived and seemed to kickstart a new age of consumer technology. Shortly after, we also saw a trend for larger superyachts. Additionally, there is the ongoing convergence of onboard systems onto the main data network (LAN) and an exponential rise in data. These are just some of the big reasons behind an important role becoming increasingly crucial.

In 2017, the PYA distributed a survey to gauge the appetite for an industry-specific AV/IT certification which eventually led to the formation of today’s AV/IT working group. The aim? To create a framework for a new non-mandatory training standard backed by various industry bodies and colleges.

The aim is not to create new training courses as such - most, if not all, of the required training already exists. Certifications from powerhouses like Microsoft, Cisco or Crestron are well recognised, but there are many other valuable courses that are less known or appreciated. Training companies such as the Superyacht Electronics Academy help to plug the gap between existing training and what is needed to work on board.  

The issue, it seems, concerns recognition; there is also no clear career or educational path to follow. In this specialist area, employers often cannot appraise the courses a candidate has taken, making it difficult to make an informed decision.

I believe this presents a strong case for a new certification that is easy for all to recognise.

Influencing IMO and STCW?  

So far we have only discussed non-mandatory certification. Looking further ahead, surely it is only a matter of time before IT systems become part of STCW. In my opinion, it should have happened years ago, yet it was only recently that vessels might need to carry a certification for crucial marine electro-technical systems, despite involving power generation and distribution to all systems, even shell doors and crane automation. It is unbelievable that this is such a recent development.

Such matters in the marine industry evolve very slowly and, sadly, are often a reaction to major incidents.

So, can the safety of the vessel depend on systems covered by the AV/IT role? Absolutely. Except for entertainment systems. In fact, this could be the subject of an entire article by itself.

Around 10 years ago, I was involved with a superyacht that had over 12 Windows PCs on the bridge. These ran various navigation, AMS and CCTV displays but they failed often and, in one case, spectacularly. On that occasion, it was only by chance that the skills were on board to keep the vessel operational.

There remains no mandatory requirement for crew on vessels of any size to have training in IT systems. There are recent cyber security procedural requirements but they are, quite frankly, an embarrassing minimum.

Now, even a moderate new superyacht has an enterprise-level network. Such vessels could be justified in having a full-time network engineer on board but, of course, there is rarely the cabin space. 

Surely it is just a matter of time before IT skills are included with STCW. I suspect it will take time, but let’s not wait for a major incident.

I hope the new superyacht AV/IT officer is just the start, and I truly believe we can use this as a template to influence STCW amendment from the bottom up. Let’s take the lead.

Scott is an ex superyacht AV/IT officer.  Now working as AV/IT consultant and trainer, and founder of Superyacht Electronics Academy.

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Audio-Visual and Control Systems Training for Superyachts

Superyacht AV and Control Systems Training

Now including the new crestron “superyacht systems technician” certification online and in classroom..

Are you looking for training to quickly build confidence to better manage and troubleshoot yacht AV systems?  Perhaps you’re looking for work as a yacht ETO or AV/IT Officer?  Maybe you’re an engineer on a yacht without an ETO or AV/IT Officer.  You’re responsible for AV, but need to know more.

Yacht AV systems are usually high-end, bespoke, sizeable and complex.  Crucially, they’re a major part of the guest experience. Typically, you need training and experience with each main system component.  Yet this training is hard to find.  Additionally, AV training isn’t always available directly to crew.  Where it is, you’ll find it time consuming and expensive.  Furthermore, manufacturer courses often go beyond what crew need.  Because they’re intended for those installing and programming systems regularly.

We understand who you are and what you need.  We’ve spent many years supporting these systems onboard ourselves.  This experience has helped develop the exact training course you need.   Our ethos is teaching common theory and  tasks around the most common equipment.  Therefore we feature equipment from leaders such as Crestron .  In fact, the Crestron Superyacht Systems Technician certification is exclusively included.

After teaching fundamental theory, we switch to the practical side.  Students are taught the common tasks likely to be encountered onboard.  Our dedicated training facility is full of the most common superyacht technology.  In fact, the entire class is based around or own superyacht AV system and supporting documentation.

AV@SEA remains our most popular course.  It regularly sells out with students waiting.  Be sure to book early.

Latest Schedule – All Courses

AV@SEA   Live Online   3-5 Apr   £990

SATCOM@SEA   Classroom UK   15-16 Apr   £800

1Day@SEA   Live Online   24 Apr   £200

AV@SEA   Classroom UK   29 Apr-1 May   £1200

AV@SEA    Classroom UK   29 April - 1 May   £1200

Audio@SEA    Classroom UK   2-3 May   £800

SATCOM@SEA    Classroom UK   20-21 May   £800

IP@SEA    Classroom UK   22-23 May   £800

1Day@SEA    Live Online   29 May   £200

AV@SEA   Live Online   3-5 Jun   £990

SATCOM@SEA   Live Online   10-11 Jun   £660

IP@SEA   Live Online   17-18 Jun   £660

Learn audio-visual and control fundamentals

Learn to provide a better system experience, learn to operate and troubleshoot common systems, new crestron superyacht systems technician certification included, av training course – summary syllabus.

For more detailed information on our AV course, or other courses, please contact us.

Introduction to our real-world superyacht AV and control system

Basic AV and control concepts

Familiarization with typical hardware components

Familiarization with our system schematics and documentation

Introduction to Crestron software suite

Familiarization with Crestron Toolbox software suite

Managing common Crestron systems and third party components

Managing third party programming and configuration files

Connecting and interconnecting hardware: protocols, cables and connectors

Intermediate audio/video concepts

Managing and troubleshooting a Crestron Digital Media system

Introduction to AV over IP and Crestron NVX

Troubleshooting HDMI connections

Final troubleshooting exercises and assessments

AV Training Course Feedback

Before attending this on-line course I was sceptical, but it was well beyond what I expected.

The questions and material are thought provoking and thus effective.  I was also impressed with the technical management of this training course.  I have to congratulate both Scott and Roland, the content was well thought through and was a good introduction to superyacht AV systems.  Well done!

Course - AV@SEA Online 2021

I would highly recommend Superyacht Electronics Academy's AV@SEA course.  They exceeded my expectations in terms of both content and training provided.  At first I was sceptical about the online version, but it was just as interactive and relevant as an onsite course would have been.  I'm very pleased with the result and will be back for more training!

The AV@SEA class exceeded my expectations, as mentioned in the course, with being online rather than onsite. 

It is amazing what has been achieved in the training room all things considered, with a strangely ideal setup.  Personally, I will always wish I could have been in class rather than online but I don’t believe it has affected my learning of the content at all.  Cheers!

Your AV Course Trainers

Learn more about the experienced team behind this training course.

Roland Higham

Chief Technical Officer - Director

A true specialist and published author in the field of Audio, Roland also actively works as an AV systems consultant and programmer.  Holding a real passion for training, together with being an all-round nice guy, makes Roland the perfect addition to our team. Roland regularly leads our audio-visual courses, and is responsible for technically overseeing our systems and curriculum development.

It is a pleasure to have now welcomed Roland to the team as Chief Technology Officer, and company director.

Scott Molloy

Managing Director

After working ashore in IT, Scott spent 11 years working on several prestigious superyachts during their build and operation.  Founding SEACertify in 2017, Scott remains responsible for overall training development.

Our students also regularly see Scott actively involved delivering courses and mentoring.

With a passion for addressing the sector's technology skills gap,  Scott actively contributes to education across the wider marine industry.

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By SuperyachtNews 13 Feb 2019

The AV/IT skills needed on superyachts

Are the increasingly complex av/it systems installed on board superyachts causing manning issues.

Audio-visual (AV) and satellite communication systems found on today’s superyachts can be complex and, crucially, are a major part of the guest experience. Electro-technical officers (ETOs) and engineers on board modern-day vessels are under immense pressure to ensure all systems work seamlessly all of the time. But with this technology constantly evolving, it is increasingly difficult for crew to keep abreast of the skills and training required to maintain them. 

Typically, it is recommended that ETOs have experience with each main system component on board their yacht, but this is difficult to acquire prior to joining the vessel. AV training is not always directly available to crew and, where it is, it can be time-consuming and expensive. Also, specific manufacturers’ courses can go beyond what crew need as they are intended for those installing and programming systems regularly.

However, some companies in the sector are trying to do something about the skills shortage. Just ETOs is a marine electronics training provider that focuses on tailor-made yacht electronics training courses aimed at ETOs, electricians, AV/IT officers and engineers. Its courses cover the core skills needed to maintain AV and satellite communication systems.

There are certain skills required of crew based on the current technology that is now featured on the most modern superyachts, and identifying these is an important step towards ensuring that demand is met. Scott Molloy, founder of Just ETOs, thinks it is the technology trends as a whole that drive most of what is installed on superyachts, and these trends also dictate the skills that are required on board, which is why they can’t be ignored.

“Digital trends, and the industry not recognising or reacting to them sufficiently, is the reason behind the ongoing crew AV/IT skills shortage,” Molloy explains. “I believe the biggest trend to be the continued move towards IP-based solutions on board. Most large-yacht systems will now connect and inter-connect using the ship’s LAN [local area network], unlike 10 or more years ago. This has led to many more yachts now finding they need a network specialist on board. However, finding experienced crew with strong networking skills remains challenging.”

Molloy adds that consumer ‘gadgets’ and online services are also rapidly changing, being such big business now for the manufacturers and providers. With all this latest technology coming to market, crew need up-to-date training to keep pace. This trend is driven by the fact that most of western society lives in a digital age and spend lots of money in these areas.

“We must also consider the exponential curve of ever-increasing consumer video standards – 4K, 8K etc.,” says Molloy. “Video is the biggest consumer on most yacht networks, with the throughput required for the latest video standards increasing fast. The most recent new builds also tend to have an IP-based video distribution solution, such as Crestron NVX, as opposed to the traditional central video matrix. Again, this is indicative of the ongoing move towards IP-based solutions. Crucially, all of this needs a well-designed, robust and future-proof LAN and somebody to support it.” 

So, how can the superyacht industry ensure that it has enough crew with the required skill-sets in the future? “Something that I have noticed through the Just ETOs business model is that the majority of crew who train with us are funding their training privately,” responds Molloy. “Most of us will probably agree how important AV/IT systems are on superyachts. However, most vessels are either failing to recognise this or failing to provide for appropriate crew training.” 

Molloy believes that addressing a vessel’s skills requirements shouldn’t be a case of the captain or chief engineer just handing a list of ideal and hopeful requirements to a recruiter. “These skills are in very short supply, so crew development also needs to be an important part of the manning strategy,” he continues. “Of most concern is that the digital trends driving these skills shortages are nothing new. I actually joined my first yacht back in 2005 due to an IT skills shortage. So, will industry attitudes in these areas really change any time soon?”

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A state-of-the-art AV and IT system is essential to how owners, guests and crews experience a yacht. VBH has expertise to ensure your systems run smoothly, no matter the conditions at sea.

VBH is the world’s leading integrator of smart technology within the most complex environments. We have over half a century of experience in integrating AVIT systems on superyachts. AVIT systems are more than just televisions, computers and speakers: they are complex, robust environments that must ensure optimal onboard entertainment and operations. Making the most of AV and IT technology obviously requires a sound knowledge of the tech involved. At VBH we also focus on understanding people’s behaviour and needs, and how this fits with the onboard systems. The main question that drives us is: How can we improve the quality of life by deploying technology in the most savvy, agile and intelligent way?

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VBH works with leading manufacturers to ensure the finest onboard systems possible. Our team is always looking for the next big thing and more than willing to do the testing required to ensure a seamless transition. Technology is constantly changing: we filter through the noise on your behalf to provide you with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge systems that flawlessly meet your needs.

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In addition to implementing the latest technologies in AV, VBH has created its own media control platform called Pulse to tailor the viewing experience to the unique tastes of guests. Besides Pulse, there is also Pivot, a control app which provides a modern and intuitive user interface for your control of the onboard visual and cabin environment systems.

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What does a yacht AV/IT Engineer do?

So what does a day in the life of a Yacht AV/IT Engineer look like? 

Despite the differences in work schedules and work conditions between yachts, crew recruitment company Wilsonhalligan interviewed a yacht engineer himself to find out what a typical day looks like as a Yacht AV/IT Engineer. This example is based on a small yacht, with guests:

The night before Guest arrival

A few days before,  all  the  systems will be checked thoroughly  to   ensure   no   parts are needed . Nothing worse than needing a replacement JAP router or WAP the night before! Also, this is specific to smaller yachts and systems.

Firstly, go through the entire system, all AV inputs, lighting, security cameras, etc. Do a “Walk around” Step on the yacht as if you are the owner and do exactly as they would do. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi straight away, how is the signal speed? Watch the news, sports games, turn on music. Ask other crew to do the same with their devices. As there will be extra devices and systems used, you should stress the system as much as you can.

First day with Guests

Wake up! Shower, shave and get presentable for the day.

On deck and do a walk around to check lines, anchor and fender, morning meeting.

Afterward, head to the rack and see if all systems are running properly. Owners, like most people, check their phone as soon as they wake up so even if you haven’t seen the boss yet, be sure he will want his Wi-Fi network working first thing!

Run TV’s and test all AV throughout the yacht where the owner will be, sundeck TV for breakfast news, Main Saloon for movie nights. Go through every input and signal to make sure everything is working seamlessly.

Then, set up the TV for the breakfast news, have whatever channel the owner likes on, and if a swivel or adjustable TV have it facing the owner’s normal seat at the table. Make sure all remotes are within reach, clean, and charged with batteries.

Finally, time for food and a break!

Depending on the owner, have a quick chat with them after breakfast. What are their plans? Will they be inviting friends over in the evening to watch the boxing? In which case, are you going to stream through 4G cellular data or is it accessible through SKY? Is there going to be a(nother) karaoke session after dinner? Get as much info as you can to do all the prep and what you can expect!

Now, log on to the network and check your average data speeds, what devices are using the most data, do you need to throttle speeds for the crew? If using a 4g Data plan are you on track with your data allowance?

Do another walk around if guests are off doing water sports or ashore. Check the rack is clean, free of dust. Racks are very high fire risk areas and need to be checked and maintained as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Boss has brought on new music/ films/ TV series that need to be imported to the yachts media library, always have a backup drive for all media. Upload everything onto the system and to the secure backup. Test and see if new media is working.

While guests are getting ready for dinner, make sure music and playlist is playing in areas of the yacht where they may be having pre-dinner drinks. Set the ambiance!

Guests are sitting down for dinner and want to watch the sports game. This is  usually   accessed  through an Apple device  using  an app that  permits  you  to  access British channels   and   then  transmitted  to a TV  via Apple TV.  Depending on current data speed/ setup you may have to ask the crew to disable their devices so all data can be used for steaming, especially live and HD streaming.

Once   the  dinner is cleared away ,  guests  might   be   interested   in   using  a karaoke machine or  playing   a game  (depending on what they drank !) . Or, if with family may want to just relax and watch a movie. This is where the preparation comes in. If all areas have been checked and  organized,   minimal   attention   from   you   is   needed . They may want to do everything themselves which is why you have remotes accessible and a clear AV structure and setup.

Lastly, if you haven’t eaten while the guests are eating now is your time! Stay on standby until guests have gone to bed just in case any situations arise.

We hope this experience provides you with the inspiration to pursue a Yacht AV/IT Engineer job.

If you would like to talk to us further about how to get into the yachting industry and work as an engineer, simply  get in touch with Wilsonhalligan’s friendly team who will be more than happy to help and guide you.

For the latest superyacht news, click here .

Wilsonhalligan

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Testimonials

M/Y Skye is the second yacht I have been skipper on that Charles, and Superyacht AV, has been responsible for.

With neat and unobtrusive installation, Superyacht AV’s system is slick in both operation and presentation. Using Savant as the main control throughout.The audio quality in every area of the yacht is unsurpassed and testament to Charles’ skill and experience, with 4k video distribution we have the whole package onboard. Support and communication is quick and easy, and nothing is ever too much trouble.

Robin Shellcock, Captain M/Y Skye

Thanks for the help Charlie ! I can definitely recommend you

Ferdi Heymann , Captain M/Y PANGAEA

Charles in now working on my third Sunseeker yacht, the first being the Manhattan 65 in 2018, the Sunseeker 86 yacht in 2019 and now the latest work in progress which is the Sunseeker 116 yacht. Whilst the audio visual available from the ship builder is a fairly comprehensive system I really wanted a completely personalised bespoke system. We needed pure simplicity in terms of operating all of the audio visual systems, blinds, environmental controls, lighting and monitoring all areas of the boat for added guest and crew safety. With each boat the technology available has vastly improved, from the size and flexibility of the speakers, they can be almost invisible these days, to the line array speakers and the compactness and lightness of the outdoor cinema screen. I am still using the 86 whilst the 116 is under construction and enjoying every moment of the boat, though in only 24 months new AV tech has recently become available and is being readied for the 116 will make this a truly stand out yacht. For all of the yachts we have built Charles has given us an end to end service from initial concept right through to wiring diagrams, rack design and stacking to even making sure we have the right TV channels for Mediterranean and Asia cruising. In particular the Savant integration is a dream to operate giving us the ability to control lights, blinds,music and tv from our phones or dedicated iPads onboard. From the initial designs to the hidden away custom built racks, the whole process went seamlessly, and is a joy to both use and of course hear. Charles used his 25+ years of experience in the music business to map and tune all 9 areas of the yacht, in particular the Dolby Atmos setup in the saloon is spectacular. I couldn’t recommend these guys highly enough.

Stuart Gibson Co-founder, CEO ESR Ltd

SIMON LE BON, Lead Vocals: Duran Duran

As an owner of yacht companies, I deal with some of the largest and most prestigious yachts in the world. I will only work with Charles and Superyacht-AV for new construction projects and refits/retrofits. The greatest frustration with 99% of marine AV companies globally, is that they cannot bring themselves to the level of the end operators – the owner, guests and crew. Owners and guests on yacht need a simple and quick solution to operate systems they are not readily familiar with. Additionally, owners & guests want those systems to be state of the art. Often complicated substandard equipment is an Achilles heel to any yacht and it’s crew, which can result in valuable crew time being used to inform guests on how to operate what should be a user friendly device. Charles’ total package encompasses the most important elements of Marine AV – simple usability for owners/guests and easy maintenance by crew, while designing top of the line and durable systems. His work has been celebrated by yacht owners internationally, he is the only choice for yachts & superyachts, as well as luxury houses around the world.

NIGEL BEATTY, Director of The Someya Group

Charlie is one of the best In-Ear Monitor Engineers I’ve ever come across. His patience and attention to detail puts him leagues ahead of the competition. The esteemed list of satisfied artists he has worked with, including my tours with Robbie Williams and Duran Duran, makes for impressive reading. For me, designing sound systems is a natural extension of his skills. If he can make the plethora of horrible venues we are faced with on a daily basis sound good to artists used to perfection in recording studios, he can make a Stateroom on a yacht feel like Wembley Arena with his eyes closed. Wob Roberts ,Production Manager

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