Imagine a yacht that knows when its batteries need recharging, warns you about changing weather before you even check the forecast, and automatically adjusts the lighting to match the time of day. This is no longer science fiction—it’s the reality of the Polish yachting industry, which produces over 25,000 vessels annually and ranks fifth in the world.
Smart yachts – technology comes on board
Smart-onboard systems combine IoT, artificial intelligence, and automation, transforming yachts into intelligent platforms that collect and analyze data in real time. They cover several key areas:
- monitoring of all onboard systems
- energy and battery management
- navigation and autopilot
- security (leak detection, fire, intruders)
- comfort (air conditioning, lighting, entertainment)
Poland is not just a manufacturing giant—it’s also a technology hub. Over 300 companies employ around 15,000 people, and some of them are creating the world’s most advanced premium units. The pandemic accelerated this revolution— yacht owners, much like electric car drivers, now expect full control via apps and smart assistants. Add to that the ecological regulations (IMO targets for 2050) and growing pressure for energy efficiency. The industry must digitalize to survive—and it’s doing so at a breathtaking pace.
How do smart-onboard systems work on a modern yacht
Essentially, the smart-onboard system is simply the yacht’s digital brain—it connects sensors, controls, and applications into a single network. On a modern yacht, every function has its own sensors: from fuel level, to engine temperature, cabin humidity, and even hull vibrations. All this data travels through networks based on NMEA 2000 protocols or the older NMEA 0183, reaching the onboard computer, which performs local analysis before sending some of the information to the cloud. From there, the owner can check everything in real time via a mobile app—or receive an alert if something goes wrong.
What is it made of
The hardware layer mainly includes:
- Sensors (GPS, lithium-ion batteries, temperature, 360° cameras)
- Data buses (CAN bus wires or wireless Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi)
- Onboard computer (often a Linux system)
- LTE/satellite module for cloud connectivity
- Mobile apps – Android and iOS
Most companies choose the open NMEA 2000 standard so that equipment from different manufacturers can communicate with each other.
Main function groups
Predictive monitoring – the system collects data on vibrations and wear, and an AI algorithm predicts when to replace the pump before a failure occurs.
Autonomous navigation – a project by the Maritime Academy in Gdynia demonstrated “path planning”: the yacht calculates its own route, avoiding obstacles.
Energy management – on the Sunreef 80 Eco, AI decides whether to draw power from photovoltaic panels, batteries, or the hybrid engine.
Safety – geofencing (alert when the yacht leaves a designated area), SOS with automatic emergency call, cameras all around.
Garmin and Raymarine systems dominate the recreational segment, but Polish centers (such as SATIM in radar technology) are also beginning to provide modules for detecting other vessels. This very architecture—sensors combined with cloud-based intelligence—is now laying the groundwork for shipyards’ business decisions.
Polish powerhouse in smart yachts: business, law, controversies
Poland is the fifth largest yacht producer in Europe – around 25,000 units annually, over 200 shipyards, approximately 15,000 jobs, and exports worth about 2 billion euros. Smart onboard systems are no longer just a gadget; today, they’re a key selling point. Without IoT, AI, and electrification, it’s hard to gain an edge in the market, especially in the premium segment.
The Polish ecosystem of smart yacht manufacturers and suppliers
Key names?
- Sunreef Yachts – luxury electric catamarans with AI-powered battery management and weather forecasting, mainly sold in the Emirates and the USA
- SATIM – smart cameras for boat and buoy detection, integration with ports and autonomous vessels
- WB Group (StormRider) – unmanned maritime platform, initially military, now commercial test platform
- Jantar – Unity electroprom, but it’s more of a demonstrator; smart-onboard not yet at mass scale
This group of four demonstrates that we have both final production and component suppliers—a rather complete supply chain.
Law, costs, and social dilemmas of intelligent entities
The deregulation of registration (2020) accelerated sales, but green technologies and autonomy are raising new questions. Patryk Zbroja from Hercberg SuperYacht Law emphasizes: who is liable for a collision involving a partially autonomous vessel—the owner, the captain, or the algorithm’s creator? Polish yachting law has yet to address this.
And now, the controversies:
- Automation and Jobs – Baltic Yachts notes that smart systems require fewer crew members, so captains and mechanics are looking for new specializations
- Price – smart‑onboard increases the yacht’s cost by 30-50%, which excludes some buyers
- Financing – debate on whether yachts should be funded from the RRF or HoReCa, given that most of the money goes abroad
Where is all this heading? That’s the question to end with.
Course for the Future: How to Prepare for Yachts 2030
Over the next five years, the yachting industry will undergo a transformation on a scale that no one can truly predict. Those who invest in the right technologies and skills today will be the leaders in 2030—the rest will be left far behind.
Key trends through 2030
After 2026, the development of autonomy will accelerate—some vessels will be able to dock and perform simple maneuvers independently, without a crew. The Maritime University of Gdynia is already conducting research on safe unmanned navigation. At the same time, hydrogen propulsion will become popular; it’s only a matter of reducing costs and building port infrastructure. AI will also transform yacht design—instead of months for prototypes, weeks will suffice, as algorithms will predict vessel behavior in simulations. Predictive maintenance? Manufacturers promise 99% detection of critical failures before they even occur.
Practical steps for manufacturers, investors, and sailors
Forecasts indicate that the global smart yacht market will reach approximately USD 12 billion by 2030, and Polish production could grow by +30% annually. What should be done?
- Manufacturer: invest in R&D and green propulsion now, don’t wait
- Investor: diversify your portfolio, consider collaborating with Gdańsk University of Technology or AM
- Shipowner/charter: smart fleet pilots demonstrate whether the system truly works
- Sailor: learn to operate AI—cybersecurity isn’t optional, it’s essential
Poland has the potential to become a significant exporter of smart units if the industry takes action now.
Volume 77
editor yachts & moto
Premium Journalist
