D-Marin, the premium marina network operator, has today announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Sense4Boat, an Internet of Things (IoT) company focused on boat safety, as the next key part of its digitalisation strategy.

Sense4Boat will provide the entire D-Marin network with a cutting-edge IoT platform to monitor all the vital parameters of docked boats and detect potential threats long before they become a real hazard. The platform is based on reliable and user-friendly sensors, which enable customers to spend more time sailing and less time worrying about their boats while away from the marina. D-Marin’s digitalisation investment programme is part of the company’s main focus of enriching berth holder’s yachting experiences.

The partnership will enable D-Marin and Sense4Boat to focus on creating outstanding Smart Marina solutions, providing research and development opportunities to accelerate marina technologies for the benefit of all yachtsmen. As part of the agreement, Sense4Boat will continue to develop its platform and further scale its business across the boating, marina, and insurance industries.

Dean Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, D-Marin said: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Sense4Boat, acquiring a majority of the business to fully integrate and develop the innovative sensors that the company has developed to put boat owners’ minds at ease. It is another step forward in our digitalisation journey, with more to come, and we are confident that the partnership will enhance our customer experience offering even further as we rollout the technology to our loyal and prospective customers. We are also committed to supporting Sense4Boat with its plans to expand its offering beyond D-Marin’s network.”

Krešimir Žic, Sense4Boat’s founder and CEO, added: “We strongly believe that digitalisation and IoT technology are the key competitive advantages for marinas in the 21st century. In D-Marin we have found a strategic partner who shares our vision and passion. Together we will create innovative solutions which will transform the whole industry and make boating safer, easier and more enjoyable for all boat owners.”