Childproofing a Superyacht: Practical Tips for Safe and Stress-Free Family Charters

June 23rd, 2025

When a family steps onboard a superyacht, the goal is simple: create unforgettable experiences for everyone—children included. But what many don’t consider is just how different a yacht environment is from a typical home or holiday villa. For parents to fully relax and children to explore safely, childproofing the vessel becomes essential.

As a specialist in luxury onboard childcare, I’ve supported families across countless charters. Here’s what you need to know about making a yacht child-friendly—without compromising style or service.

Why Childproofing Matters

Superyachts are designed for adult use: polished surfaces, open decks, high-tech systems, and often minimal barriers. For young guests, that can mean hidden risks. Proper childproofing ensures:

A safer environment for exploration
Less stress for crew and nannies
Peace of mind for parents
Fewer incidents, emergencies, or liability concerns

Key Areas to Childproof

Deck & Exterior Safety

Install removable safety netting around railings
Use non-slip mats in area where children's toys are set up (normally the main saloon)
Ensure pools and jacuzzis have safety covers or supervised use only
Install baby gates on exterior stairs and keep them closed at all times. Often textile baby gates work best outside

Interior Safety

Use retractable baby gates for staircases. Metal babygates are safest, opt for options which do not require drilling into the wall
Cushion sharp corners or furniture edges
Remove locks from doors that do not need to be locked (such as small child's cabin head - to avoid risk of them locking themselves in)
Use plug socket covers
Secure heavy objects like lamps or decorative items
Install drawer locks or remove fragile items from reach
Set up child controls on tech devices
Ensure hatches are firmly locked
Remove potentially dangerous products from easy to access areas, including heads
Add non-slip mats to showers

Involve the Crew

Childproofing isn’t just about physical safety—it’s about crew awareness. I recommend:

Crew briefings on age-specific risks
Visible emergency and safeguarding procedures
Clear toy, sleep, and water safety policies

Finally, communicate! Let parents know what precautions have been taken. This builds trust, sets expectations, and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Childproofing a superyacht doesn’t mean compromising on luxury. With the right tools and forethought, it’s entirely possible to blend high-end experience with safe, memorable moments for young guests. If you’d like help preparing for an upcoming charter, I offer training, activities, and custom provisioning lists for every age and stage.

Navigating a family charter can be challenging—even for experienced crew. That’s why I created the Ultimate Superyacht Stewardess Kids Charter Resource Pack: an all-in-one digital download designed to help you confidently deliver exceptional, child-friendly service at sea.

Whether you're a nanny, stewardess, or deckhand assisting with little ones, this pack includes: