Onboard our ships, the noise generated by slot machines has long been a safety concern—particularly during safety drills or real-world emergency announcements when clear communication is critical. While a solution previously existed through our CMAS system, it relied heavily on server-based monitoring and maintenance. With the exciting deployment of SURF, it became necessary to develop a more practical and sustainable approach—one that operates independently of the server and requires minimal ongoing oversight.

That’s when two members of our Technical Management team, Charlemagne “Charlie” Pilar and Marlon Esguerra, stepped in. Faced with a technical challenge that lacked an off-the-shelf solution, they collaborated to develop an innovative, ship-friendly system that leverages the existing onboard muting infrastructure to automatically silence slot machines during all safety announcements. Their approach not only addressed the noise concern but also eliminated the need for server dependency or active monitoring by casino staff.

The result? A simple yet effective enhancement that’s now being considered for enterprise-wide deployment. This solution reflects the kind of bottom-up innovation that drives continuous improvement in our operations—practical, efficient, and created by the very people who understand the environment best. It not only supports safety and compliance but also showcases how small technical shifts can create meaningful change across the fleet.

This success story is a great example of how curiosity, collaboration, and technical expertise can come together to solve real-world problems. Special thanks go to Charlie and Marlon for their ingenuity, and to the broader team for recognizing and supporting grassroots innovation. It’s moments like this that bring our values to life across the fleet.