Written by Leona Caanen | Superyacht Times

In a time where privacy is one of the highest forms of luxury, YachtCloud has refined and luxurised service onboard superyachts. The most popular of their technological products making yacht life easier, is the GEST Service Call System. The call button is the most popular element of the YachtCloud portfolio, which is made up of six products in total: OMNIYON, YIS, CrewBoard, LaundryBoard, ECHO and GEST.

YachtCloud, based out of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is a product developer that focuses on delivering premium technology for the world’s most discerning clients. Established in 2014, the company has over a decade of experience in the delivery of their premium tech, and is dedicated to crafting yacht experiences where technology and craftsmanship work together in harmony to enhance comfort, safety and enjoyment at sea.

In luxury environments, service expectations keep rising. Guests want instant response, total discretion, and no visible “effort”. But crews and house teams are already stretched.

So how do you elevate service without adding more people, more radios, or more stress?

1. Remove friction from guest requests

The biggest hidden problem isn’t staffing, it’s how guests ask for service. In reality, guests hesitate to call, they don’t want to interrupt or feel demanding. Apps feel impersonal or complicated. For a crew perspective, radios are intrusive and visible.

The result: delayed service, missed opportunities, and reduced experience.

6⭐ service starts when asking for service becomes effortless.

2. Shift from reactive to invisible service

Traditional service is reactive:

• Guest calls
• Crew receives
• Crew responds

But high-end service should feel anticipatory, seamless, and almost invisible. The goal is not faster service but a frictionless service flow.

3. Give crew clarity, not more work

Adding tools often makes things worse, meaning more notifications, more devices to use, thus more complexity. Crew need clear, prioritised requests, delivered through silent, discreet alerts, with no ambiguity about what is required. At the end, efficiency is not about doing more, it’s about removing confusion.

4. Design service into the environment

In true luxury, service is embedded into the space, not added on top. Think of no visible tech clutter, no disruptive sounds, or no learning curve for guests. When done correctly, guests instinctively know how to request service. With GEST, service call button, requesting service is as easy as pressing a button. 

5. Reduce micro-interruptions

One of the biggest drains on crew productivity is the accumulation of small interruptions, repeated clarifications, and inefficient communication loops, where tasks bounce back and forth (for example, a guest request requiring follow-up questions), adding workload without adding value, so removing these micro‑frictions is where real efficiency gains are made.

6. Standardise without losing personalisation

Luxury service is not about rigid systems or overly structured routines, but consistency remains essential. Every request should be clear and easy to act on, every response predictable in its quality and timing, and the overall standard of service should never depend on who happens to be on shift. The strongest operations achieve this balance by standardising the underlying process, such as removing ambiguity, reducing variability, and guiding execution, while still giving crew the flexibility to personalise interactions and tailor the experience to each guest.

7. The result: perceived effortlessness

When this balance is achieved, the result is a powerful sense of perceived effortlessness. Guests feel seamlessly and “magically” taken care of, without seeing the coordination behind the scenes. Crew, in turn, feel more in control of their workload rather than overwhelmed by it, as clarity and structure reduce unnecessary stress. Service becomes not just functional, but distinctive, a signature experience that reflects both precision and care. Crucially, this improvement does not rely on increasing headcount or adding operational complexity; instead, it comes from removing friction, improving clarity, and enabling people to perform at their best.

Where GEST fits in

GEST is designed to fill this exact gap, providing a tactile and intuitive way for guests to request service, while enabling discreet, silent communication for crew. Seamlessly integrated into high-end materials and interiors, it feels like a natural part of the environment rather than an added layer of technology. There is no learning curve for guests, no visual disruption to carefully designed spaces, and no additional workload for crew. Instead, it simplifies interactions, removes friction, and elevates service, delivering a smoother, more effortless experience for everyone involved.

More Control, Clarity and Confidence

In operational environments where timing and awareness are critical, notifications must be clear, reliable and easy to act on. GEST has introduced two new notification features designed to enhance reliability, reduce distractions and improve real‑time awareness across all devices.

These updates focus on delivering a more refined, intuitive and dependable notification experience, whether alerts appear on your watch, phone or system interface.

Feature 1: A New GEST Watch App with Continuous Notifications

The new GEST Watch App is fully independent and connects directly to the GEST server. This removes the need for mirrored phone notifications and eliminates duplicate alerts.

Every notification is delivered once, accurately and without unnecessary noise.

What’s new

• Direct server‑based push notifications
• No duplicate or mirrored alerts
• Works independently from the phone app

To further improve reliability, continuous notifications are now available. Alerts can be repeated at configurable intervals until acknowledged.

Benefits

• Greater visibility of critical alerts
• Reduced risk of missed calls
• Consistent experience across all devices

This update ensures that important information reaches the right people at the right moment, even in demanding environments.

Feature 2: Custom Notification Sounds for Instant Recognition

GEST now supports custom notification sounds, allowing alerts to be identified instantly by sound.

Users can define specific notification tones based on:

• Location
• Call type
• Crew member

This makes it possible to recognise the origin and urgency of a call without checking a screen.

Benefits

• Faster response times
• Less distraction during busy shifts
• A more personal and intuitive alert system

It is a subtle enhancement that significantly improves focus, awareness and efficiency.

Designed for Reliable, Real-Time Communication

These new features strengthen GEST’s role as a dependable real‑time notification system. By combining reliable delivery with intelligent personalisation, teams gain greater control over how and when information is received.

The result is a calmer, more confident workflow,  supported by technology that works effortlessly in the background.

Update your GEST Apps Today

To take advantage of the new Watch App, continuous notifications and custom sounds, ensure your GEST apps are updated and review your notification settings. For configuration support or guidance, the GEST team is ready to assist.

Rotterdam, 23/04/2026 

Yacht Infotainment System (YIS) is now available on Apple TV, offering yacht owners a new, simple way to experience onboard information, visuals, and itineraries through a familiar and easy‑to‑use platform.

The new YIS Apple TV app, available to download directly from the Apple App Store, introduces a visual and interactive presentation layer while keeping the existing YIS backend unchanged. Nothing breaks, nothing becomes more complex, it simply adds an extra, engaging way to experience YIS.

A New Visual Experience, Built on a Proven System

YIS on Apple TV acts as a presentation layer on top of the existing YIS backend. The core system remains exactly the same, ensuring reliability and stability.

Key highlights include:

• Customisable slideshow presentations
  • Fully configurable slides
  • Yacht‑specific content
  • Owners or crew can choose which pages to display
  • Slide display time is adjustable through the YIS manager
• Interactive mode
  • Explore the yacht’s itinerary on an interactive world map
  • See current position and destination
  • Move freely around the map

Simple by Design

The guiding idea behind YIS Apple TV is simplicity.

• Easy onboard enrolment
• Faster and simpler deployment
• No additional system complexity
• Nothing critical can be broken

For new YIS customers, the Apple TV solution can run on a virtual server, making it possible to deploy quickly and expand later to the full YIS ecosystem.

For existing YIS users, the Apple TV app is a seamless addition that works directly with the current YIS backend.

An Extra Experience for Owners

The Apple TV app is not designed to replace existing systems, but to enhance the owner experience.

It offers:

• A visually rich way to explore the yacht
• An engaging tool to review itineraries and destinations
• An “extra cool” feature for owners to interact with during downtime

There is no new pricing model associated with the Apple TV feature.

Availability

• YIS Apple TV app: Available now via the Apple App Store
• Backend requirement: YIS backend required
• Pricing: Included as a new feature

Managing crew safety and onboard accountability on a superyacht is a continuous operational challenge. With crew, guests and visitors moving on and off the vessel daily, captains must maintain a clear, accurate picture of who is onboard at all times.

In an emergency, this clarity can make the difference between a controlled response and confusion. That is why muster lists, real‑time crew tracking and onboard accountability systems are a critical part of modern superyacht safety management.

Why onboard accountability is critical on superyachts?

Superyachts operate in a high‑risk environment where emergencies can escalate quickly. Fire, flooding, collision or a man overboard incident leave little time to establish who is missing or still onboard.

International maritime regulations already require vessels to maintain an up‑to‑date muster list and clearly defined emergency roles for every person onboard. These requirements apply before departure and whenever crew or onboard personnel change. 

On superyachts, where crew movement and guest activity are constant, especially during yard period, maintaining compliance using manual methods alone can be difficult.

The main safety challenges superyachts face

Constant crew and visitor movement

Superyacht crew frequently go ashore for leave, provisioning or operational duties. At the same time, yachts host:

• Charter guests
• Contractors and technicians
• Day workers
• Port and inspection officials

Relying on paper lists or memory to track this movement introduces unnecessary risk.

Limited visibility during emergencies

During emergencies, outdated information slows decision‑making. Captains and officers need immediate answers to questions such as:

• Who is unaccounted for?
• Was the person meant to be onboard?
• Are guests involved?

Maritime safety regulations stress that emergency response relies on clear assignment of roles and rapid coordination.

Human error under pressure

Manual sign‑in systems depend on crew remembering to update their status. During busy operations or stressful situations, this fails too often.

How muster lists are traditionally managed onboard

Paper muster lists

Paper muster lists remain widely used and are still legally valid when correctly maintained. They must be updated before sailing and whenever crew changes occur. 

However, paper lists:

• Are static
• Become outdated quickly
• Offer no real‑time visibility

Basic digital lists

Some yachts use spreadsheets or simple digital tools to manage crew lists. While easier to update, they still rely on manual input and offer limited support during real emergencies.

The shift towards real‑time onboard accountability systems

To improve safety and reduce risk, many superyachts are now adopting real‑time digital safety systems designed specifically for maritime environments.

Live digital muster lists

A live digital muster list gives the bridge an immediate overview of:

• Crew onboard
• Crew ashore
• Guests and visitors onboard

This approach aligns far more closely with the intent of SOLAS regulations, which focus on preparedness and clarity during emergencies. 

GPS‑based onboard detection

Modern superyacht safety software can automatically detect when crew leave or return to the vessel using GPS. This removes reliance on manual sign‑in and significantly reduces human error.

Underway mode and departure checks

Before departure, knowing whether all essential crew are onboard is critical. Digital systems that support underway mode help prevent:

• Accidental departures with crew ashore
• Confusion during last‑minute movements
• Delays caused by uncertainty

Managing man overboard and emergency scenarios

In a man overboard situation, response time is critical. Digital accountability allows crews to:

• Instantly identify who is missing
• Avoid confusion in multi‑crew environments
• Respond faster during the first critical minutes

Clear muster information also supports drills, compliance inspections and genuine emergencies, reinforcing good safety culture onboard. 

Managing guests and visitors onboard

Crew are trained in emergency procedures. Guests and visitors usually are not.

Tracking everyone onboard improves:

• Guest safety
• Emergency evacuation planning
• Muster drill accuracy

A system that includes crew, guests and visitors in one interface reduces blind spots and improves overall situational awareness.

Why generic software is not enough for superyachts

Generic HR or attendance software does not reflect the realities of life onboard a yacht. Captains increasingly look for yacht‑specific crew management and safety systems that support:

• Maritime safety requirements
• Port‑to‑port operations
• Minimal administrative burden

Expected features now include:

• Live digital muster lists
• GPS‑based onboard status
• Man overboard support
• Underway awareness
• Simple, crew‑friendly interfaces

How CrewBoard supports superyacht safety and accountability

CrewBoard is purpose‑built for yachting and superyachts, focusing on real‑time accountability and safety awareness.

It enables yachts to:

• Maintain a live digital muster list
• Automatically update onboard status via GPS
• Manage crew, guests and visitors in one platform
• Improve safety without increasing workload

By reducing dependency on manual processes, CrewBoard supports captains and officers during both routine operations and emergency situations.

Accountability as a modern safety standard

On today’s superyachts, accurate onboard accountability is no longer just a compliance exercise. It is becoming a safety standard.

While paper systems still meet minimum requirements, digital solutions offer:

• Greater accuracy
• Faster response
• Reduced human error

For captains, yacht managers and owners, knowing exactly who is onboard at all times is one of the simplest ways to improve safety—and one of the most important.