Berkeley Rand, BWA Yachting’s Solution to Off-Grid Expeditions

Usually, when megayacht owners or charter guests want to visit somewhere remote, their yacht agents reach out to expedition guides. BWA Yachting created its own company, Berkeley Rand, to handle the tasks, with a twist. Berkeley Rand employs artificial intelligence and other technology in combination with real-life knowledge, making far-off voyages far more special.

BWA Yachting says it assists more than 1,200 megayachts each year, in more than 600 ports. However, “we don’t cover some far-flung territories like Patagonia, French Polynesia, or the Solomon Islands, for example,” says Paschalis Patsiokas, its CEO. That led to creating Berkeley Rand. “With Berkeley Rand, we now offer off-grid expertise at 350 remote destinations,” he adds.

The new company can tailor itineraries in icy or warm climates and handles all logistics, based on the team’s own knowledge of these regions. However, as mentioned above, it actually takes things a step further. In fact, the Berkeley Rand staff includes what it terms “experiential engineers,” who use immersive technology and artificial intelligence. This unusual combination of professionals helps to enhance the trip for everyone onboard. Indeed, the team asserts that it can, for instance, create an all-around view of every shoreline along a journey, including fish and flora. Geological characteristics and other facts are available, too, based on what each guest wants to see and learn. As Andrew Grant Super, Berkeley Rand’s managing director, explains, this ensures that “the experience is bigger and better than they ever imagined it would be.”

Andrew Grant Super, Berkeley Rand’s managing director, says the technology has previously only been used in the aerospace industry. He sees it greatly enhancing expedition cruising. “There is a thirst for adventure and experiences at sea,” he declares. Patsiokas believes Berkeley Rand will make a difference regardless of a trip lasting a few weeks or a few months. “It enables us to engage early in the discussions when a captain or charter broker sets off to plan an off-grid voyage,” he sums up.

BWA Yachting bwayachting.com

Berkeley Rand berkeleyrand.com