Discreet by design: Rethinking security in the modern superyacht experience

In today’s superyacht landscape, luxury is no longer solely defined by a yacht’s design or the exclusivity of the destination. True luxury lies in the seamlessness of the experience – where every detail has been anticipated, and guests can immerse themselves in the moment with complete confidence. And yet, one of the most vital elements underpinning this experience – security – is often overlooked, misunderstood, or introduced only as a reactive measure.

Having spent over two decades in the security and risk management space, including elite maritime military units, and working alongside Royalty, Government officials, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private crews, Ben Gavins, Director of ARX 360, has seen how expectations around superyacht security have evolved. “We’re not just providing protection,” he explains. “We’re integrating into a lifestyle. It’s about intelligent movement, emotional intelligence, and understanding the rhythm of life on board.”

The risks you don’t see

Security on board is often associated with piracy or theft – risks that, while still present in certain geographies, are not the most pressing concerns for today’s owners and guests. Instead, the contemporary threat landscape is far more nuanced, with vulnerabilities arising from technology, visibility, and day-to-day interactions. These include:

• Drone surveillance and paparazzi activity in high-profile locations

• Increased social media exposure of guests, family members, and crew – often unknowingly revealing location data

• Local opportunist crime during shore excursions, shopping trips, or tender transfers

• Unvetted staff or service providers joining the yacht without proper background checks

Gavins highlights social media as a particular risk. “Posting real-time updates might seem harmless, but for high-profile individuals it can reveal locations, schedules, even security arrangements. It’s not just clients – it’s crew, family, friends. Everyone plays a part.”

Such exposure can not only jeopardise personal safety but also undermine the security team’s ability to operate effectively. “Once a location is shared, it becomes a beacon – attracting everything from paparazzi to opportunists, and potentially worse.”

Establishing procedures with clients around security often falls outside the purview of the captain or crew’s role, but it can have a major impact on the guest experience, particularly if a location is shared with paparazzi, for example, who then disrupt the charter and raise broader security concerns. Engaging security experts ahead of the charter can ensure that everyone is aware of the risks, and procedures can be put into place, such as delayed posting on social media, to ensure live data is not distributed into the ether.

Why embedded security beats standalone solutions

While security often becomes an afterthought, once a charter has already been coordinated, the introduction of a last minute, inexperienced security team can cause friction onboard vessels, at times even being viewed as an obstacle to operations. For example, if security personnel need to be accommodated aboard the vessel, this can cause complications if left to the last minute and lead to a frustrated crew and even to a compromised security plan. 

Embedding yacht security or executive protection personnel into the charter coordination from the beginning enables security personnel to integrate into the crew and into the management of the charter. It also enables the team to coordinate advance reconnaissance of charter locations, including risk assessment of itineraries, and seamless coordination with crew and shore-side logistics teams. 

An integrated security team also enables the necessary flexibility that comes with yacht charter. When plans change, as they often do, well integrated security personnel are able to adapt quickly, whether onboard or working with an onshore team, to provide short-term reconnaissance as itineraries evolve. 

“At ARX 360, we’re not there to take over,” says Gavins. “We’re there to complement the crew. Our role isn’t just to respond if something goes wrong – it’s to ensure everything goes right.” He adds, “The best security doesn’t stand out. It integrates.”

Breaking the stereotype

In many senses, the traditional perspective of security; suited strongmen with stiff demeanours, is entirely unfit for most yachting environments, where the setting is private, casual and highly personalised. 

As such, the security team needs to be appropriately experienced with an understanding of the nuances of both the luxury and yachting lifestyle. Ben Gavins explains, “I refer to it as avoiding ‘empty suits’ – those agents who are just standing around looking imposing. Our agents are intelligent individuals who are integrated into the itinerary, aware of the crew dynamics, and know how to liaise with key personnel like the captain, purser, or manager to help things run smoothly. Our aim is to support, not obstruct, the overall experience – for both crew and client. That applies on board and ashore.”

This skillset has become increasingly important in recent years, as charter clients and owners are using yachts for longer periods, for very personal and family oriented trips, in which a security personnel could be perceived as an obstacle. Instead the team needs to create a safe and comfortable environment for the client, in which they feel unhindered and can conduct any activities with utter confidence.

Real value beyond the obvious

A telling example? “Let’s say a VIP guest is planning a shopping trip during the Monaco Grand Prix,” says Gavins. “You’ve got crowds, media, opportunists – it’s a complex environment. The traditional overt approach to security can draw unwanted attention and escalate risk. Our approach is smarter: discreet reconnaissance, strategically placed agents, and seamless coordination with crew ensure robust protection without the spotlight.” This approach enables a frictionless experience. The client enjoys total freedom, without a single interruption – and without even thinking about, or being unnecessarily aware of, security.

ARX 360’s flexibility also extends to how teams are deployed – on board, ashore, or both, depending on the space and itinerary. “Some clients or crew are unable to, or don’t want to sacrifice cabin space. That’s fine – we adapt. We are able to position teams ashore with the flexibility to move at the clients discretion, with agents working in shifts onboard the yacht ensuring 24/7 surveillance without disruption to the guest schedule.”

Advice for owners, captains, and brokers

For those preparing for a busy charter season or planning private cruising, Gavins offers three key insights:

1. Integrate early – “The earlier we’re engaged, the more value we can add. We’re not just a safety net – we’re part of the service architecture and want to make things go right”

2. Choose intelligence over presence – “Don’t just hire someone who looks the part. Hire someone who understands luxury dynamics and can operate within them.”

3. Make security invisible – “If we’re doing our job right, our presence blends in, clients know we are there but we don’t attract unwanted attention and the yacht just runs seamlessly.”

The role of modern superyacht security isn’t about control – it’s about contribution and team work. “It’s not about standing out and looking tough,” Gavins concludes. “It’s about being effective team players – with discretion, with insight, and with respect for the lifestyle our clients expect”

In an industry defined by seamless experience, it’s time security was seen as part of the solution – not a disruption.