There’s a growing conversation in the residential & commercial smart tech world that I think deserves more exposure in the superyacht sector, and it’s all about lighting.

Not just lighting that looks beautiful (though that’s a given in the spaces we work in), but lighting that actually supports how we feel, sleep, and perform. Lighting that works with the human body, not against it.

As someone who's worked in lighting and integration for many years, I’ve seen how powerful the right lighting setup can be. But I’ve also seen how overlooked this element still is, especially when it comes to our well-being.

What’s the Problem?

Most lighting is designed to make spaces look great. But in doing that, we forget that light directly regulates our sleep-wake cycles. Our energy levels, sleep quality, focus and even mood are all linked to something called the Circadian Rhythm, our internal body clock that responds to light and dark. 

In residential and wellness spaces, we’re already designing systems with this in mind. But on board? It's only just starting to catch on. 

The reality is, crew working in shifts, guests crossing time zones, and everyone spending long periods in artificially lit spaces can all suffer when lighting isn’t properly considered.

Poor quality artificial lighting causes what is known as Sleep & Circadian Rhythm Disruption (SCRD), and the science tells us this has a considerable impact on energy levels, mood, concentration, and ability to focus. All of this can directly lead to long-term health issues and potentially to accidents and injury whilst working on board under stressful situations. 

The solution? Lighting that’s designed for humans, not just interiors.

We call it human-centric lighting. Full spectrum, high CRI, flicker-free lighting that shifts in colour and intensity throughout the day to mirror the patterns of natural daylight. 

Cooler, more energising tones in the morning; warmer, more restful light in the evening. It sounds complicated, but the results are incredible.

It’s a game-changer for the crew, who can maintain better energy and focus even with irregular schedules. And for guests, it makes onboard life feel more natural, more in tune with their bodies, even when the environment is anything but. For the designers who are concerned about how this affects their beautiful lighting design, then fear not as better quality light, more akin to natural daylight, will only improve the end result by allowing colours to appear more vibrant and ornate material finishes to show off their natural beauty. 

Why This Matters to Me

At MP Tech, we’ve been championing better lighting for some time now, and over the past year, we’ve doubled down on this for the marine world. We’ve brought lighting design in-house, partnered with some of the best manufacturers in circadian lighting (Ray Lighting is leading the charge here), and we’re working with designers, specifiers, and owners to make sure this isn’t just a box-tick. It’s a conversation happening early in the design phase.

The superyacht industry has always been about pushing boundaries, but I believe the next frontier isn’t just about smarter systems or sleeker finishes. It’s about how these spaces make people feel.

The Bigger Picture

There’s a more technical deep dive on this coming out soon in one of the industry’s leading superyacht magazines (which I’m very excited about). But in the meantime, I wanted to start the conversation here.

If you’re a designer, a captain, a technical officer, or just someone who thinks lighting deserves more credit than it gets, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

What are you seeing on board? Where do you think the conversation needs to go next?

Let’s make lighting about people, not just panels and circuits.