Many owners and managers fit AIS, GPS devices, or basic tender tracking when towing tenders thinking it satisfies insurance requirements or provides protection. It doesn’t. Tender tracking when towing tenders is not adequate for protection or loss prevention – these systems only show location, not safety or operational risk.
The guidance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is explicit in its Letter of No Objection:
“To prevent saturation of the AIS network and to ensure AIS is not used in infringement of SOLAS requirements, AIS should be switched off when the tender is aboard or under tow.”
AIS and trackers therefore cannot be relied upon during towing, and in many cases must be disabled. More importantly, location data alone does nothing to prevent loss.
Why Tender Tracking When Towing Tenders Is Not Adequate
- Location-only systems do not monitor vessel health or water ingress
- They cannot detect battery failure or bilge system issues
- Slow update cycles mean position data is outdated by the time action is required
- Collision alarms and AIS targets can overwhelm bridge displays
- Under SOLAS and IMO guidance, AIS may be switched off where transmission affects safety
Insurer Expectations Have Changed
Modern underwriting increasingly requires systems that:
✔ Monitor real-time vessel health (bilge, battery, pitch/roll)
✔ Provide immediate bridge alerts
✔ Have a dedicated link from the mothership and the tender, able to measure and report the distance between
✔ Operate independently of shore networks
✔ Include satellite resilience via networks such as Iridium Communications Inc.
These capabilities move beyond basic location tracking and actively reduce risk.
Location vs Protection
- AIS and trackers identify and locate often not in real time
- Tender tracking when towing tenders is not adequate for protection as they are moving constantly
- Monitoring systems prevent loss and improve safety
The Yacht Trace Tender Monitoring System delivers real-time towing protection, night towing capability, and extended towing distances with insurer acceptance. Installation is fast and non-invasive, typically within an hour, giving captains and owners operational confidence.
For enquiries: info@yachttrace.com
https://yachttrace.com/