Depth of control
Beneath the surface, a smarter system is working to track, alert and protect. With AnchorGuardian, safe anchoring is now a reality.
Spring 2025. Off the coast of Palma de Mallorca, a group of captains and technical experts gathers aboard a 24-metre superyacht. On the surface, it’s a calm day. Below the waterline, however, a silent revolution is underway. Anchored securely in a sandy patch off the coast, the vessel’s position is being monitored—not just by the crew—but by a smart system embedded directly in the anchor chain. Every movement is tracked. Every load is recorded. And if the anchor begins to shift, the crew is alerted in real time—before the vessel reacts.
This was AnchorGuardian’s first official demonstration day. And for many on board, it marked a defining moment.
Swiss Ocean Tech’s pioneering solution to one of yachting’s most enduring challenges has taken real steps forward. Following successful sea trials and onboard validation, AnchorGuardian is now Lloyd’s certified and available for installation. AnchorGuardian is no longer just a bold idea—it is a certified, market-ready system.
From Concept to Commercial Momentum
For captains, the promise of AnchorGuardian lies in what it adds, not replaces,says Thomas Frizlen, founder and managing director of Swiss Ocean Tech. Traditional anchor watches, decades of seamanship, and onboard experience remain essential. But by providing real-time, sensor-driven data directly from the anchor itself, AnchorGuardian equips the crew with a new level of situational awareness. It’s about turning intuition into insight.
The key was always to give captains the tools to act before it becomes critical or even too late
says Frizlen. “AnchorGuardian isn’t about replacing judgment—it’s about strengthening it with reliable data.”
Helping Crews Navigate New Rules and Realities
Environmental protection zones, restricted anchoring areas and denser traffic in popular bays are making it harder than ever for captains to find safe, legal and effective places to drop anchor. AnchorGuardian provides precise information about anchor position, movement and chain dynamics to help crews comply more confidently with local regulations and avoid accidental violations.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies in areas like the Balearics and along the French coastlines, where anchoring near seagrass or coral is closely monitored, tools that offer greater anchoring precision are becoming increasingly valuable.
Smart Technology, Seamless Integration
The AnchorGuardian system includes a sensor module placed between the anchor and chain, along with three additional onboard units for data transmission, battery charging, and visualization.
As one Captain said during the demonstration, “Anchoring is the issue that we do not have 100% under control. So, if you have a system which informs you that the anchor is not dragging and is in a good position that will allow you to relax.”
Supporting Risk Reduction and Safer Operations
While the system itself doesn’t prevent accidents or eliminate fines, it delivers the critical information captains need to take preventive action. AnchorGuardian is a tool for safer decision-making, especially in situations where early detection of dragging or unexpected anchor movement can buy crews the minutes that matter.
Another Captain adds, “The size of our vessel is 83 meters. When we are at anchor, we may have all the toys out (..floating swimming pool, jet skis, tenders, etc.) and having a very early warning of the anchor situation which might lead to a dragging anchor [during this situation]… is very important for us.”
It’s a data-driven complement to skill and vigilance, part of a broader shift toward smarter, more connected yacht operations.
Looking Ahead
With its first installations in place and certification secured, Swiss Ocean Tech is now focused on expanding AnchorGuardian’s reach. Ongoing data collection and user feedback are helping to refine the system and pave the way for future upgrades.
“We’re at the very beginning of the journey,” says Frizlen. “But the feedback so far confirms what we believed from the start, that anchoring can be smarter, safer, and more sustainable.
“We’re proud to be enabling that transformation.”
For more info, see anchorguardian.com