A clerk-turned-billionaire businessman from Cleveland, seeking privacy and top-notch service on his $200 million superyacht, developed a rugged tracking device that allows him to summon any of the 44 crew members onboard his 367-foot yacht instantly with the press of a button.


Launched in 2023 by the Spanish shipyard Freire, the 112-meter (367-foot) superyacht Renaissance is a sailing masterpiece. It is not only the largest yacht built in Spain but also the most expensive charter in the world, asking no less than €3 million per week (around $3.3 million) in low season. However, the jaw-dropping charter price is more than justified by the luxury vessel’s long list of amenities and features, which includes industry-first innovations. One such novelty is the superyacht’s bespoke tracking system created to ensure guests are well looked after by the crew while maintaining complete privacy.


The vessel is believed to be owned by American billionaire Gary Klesch, a very experienced charterer. Apparently, Klesch always struggled with finding crew members while moving around a yacht, especially while looking for a drink or fresh towels after boarding the vessel. While commissioning his dream superyacht, he wanted this particular problem to be addressed. Klesch was looking for a solution that didn’t rely on cameras or the staff constantly checking in on the guests.

The owner’s aft deck.

UK-based consulting firm Smart Technology Advisors was brought in to create a new piece of technology to solve this problem. It’s the same company that helped American billionaire Dan Snyder get the world’s first superyacht with an IMAX theater as well as work on the $330 million superyacht H3 to install 45-foot-long floor-to-ceiling interactive video walls.

Renaissance has a massive 10m x 5m aft pool

The Smart team partnered with Renaissance’s AVIT integrators, Videoworks, to design a waterproof and sun-resistant wearable tracking device. The Bluetooth-enabled wristband allows the wearer to request attendance from a member of the yacht’s service team with the simple press of a button.

Also read -  Even after assuming the worth of a single grain of rice as $100,000, this financial influencer had to buy large rice bags from Costco to show how much wealth Jeff Bezos has. It would take a staggering 5 hours just to count the value of his Koru megayacht in grains of rice.

The spa rooms. Image – Charterworld

Dubbed myTracking, the wearable gadget uses geolocation via Bluetooth to notify the service team of the guest’s exact location on the vessel and other details. “Regardless of the wristband wearer’s location, the service team will be able to find them using an extensive location tracking infrastructure that has been built into the yacht by design,” Gurmeet Singh (Technology consultant and project lead) told SuperYacht Times. The bracelet also adds to the privacy of the guests as the service team does not always need to be in close proximity to receive service requests.

The owner’s stateroom

However, the team that worked on the tracking bracelet quickly found more applications of the technology. Parents can use the wristband to monitor the location of their children on the vessel using a guest iPad. Furthermore, it can also be used by guests to unlock doors to their cabin without carrying additional fobs or cards.

The dining room.

Since the tracking device uses Bluetooth, a technology with low energy consumption compared to Wi-Fi, the battery can last for years without the need for recharging or changing.

Renaissance has a 13 m tender.

Renaissance, a $200 million floating marvel

With an overall length of 367 feet, Renaissance is one of the largest projects designed by the British studio Bannenberg & Rowell. Despite her massive size, the luxury vessel features a streamlined and elegant profile.

The yacht has 10 waverunners and jet skis

Designed for the charter market as well as for owner use, the superyacht boasts decadent interiors and mind-blowing amenities. Spanning six decks, the vessel offers a myriad of dining, relaxation, and entertainment options.

Also read -  Australian mining billionaire has revived plans to build a $1 billion replica of the doomed Titanic after millions of people have registered interest to travel on the vessel. Titanic II will have grand ballrooms, a casino, Turkish baths, squash courts and even third class cabins.


Designed as a multi-generational vessel, Renaissance gets a double-height dining saloon, an expansive beach club stocked with the latest water toys, a 19-person indoor cinema along with a secondary outdoor theater, and an entire deck dedicated to wellness, which includes a fitness center, hot and cold plunge pools, a steam room and sauna, treatment rooms and hair and beauty salons.

The beach club

The superyacht can accommodate up to 36 guests in 19 luxurious cabins and requires a crew of 44 to operate. Powered by robust Caterpillar engines, Renaissance can hit a top speed of 16 knots. She boasts an impressive range of over 3,000 nautical miles while cruising at a speed of 12 knots.

Gary Klesch with his wife Anita.

Who is Gary Klesch?

Gary Klesch is an American-born financier and businessman known for his investments in distressed assets and his work as a turnaround specialist. The 77-year-old is the founder of the Klesch Group, a private investment firm that focuses on acquiring and restructuring struggling companies, particularly in sectors such as chemicals, metals, oil refining, and other heavy industries. He started his career as a margin clerk at Paine Webber in Cleveland, earning a modest $10,000 annually. He rapidly climbed the success ladder, becoming a partner at McDonald & Company at 24, one of the largest regional investment banking firms in the United States at the time. His present net worth is estimated to be around $1 billion.

Tags from the story
,