Sleep Better on Board: The Lighting Solution Crew Need to Know

Guest: Michael Meeneghan - Circadian Lighting Specialist, MP Technical SolutionsRelease Date: 16 December 2025Episode SummarySleep is the foundation of everything, but yacht crew are working under lighting that's actively sabotaging it. Michael Meeneghan from MP Technical Solutions explains why blue-spike LEDs disrupt your circadian rhythm, and what full-spectrum lighting can do for your health, focus, and retention on board.Michael shares his personal journey from ADHD diagnosis to discovering how lighting transformed his family's sleep and behaviour. We dive into the science of circadian rhythm disruption (SCRD), practical sleep hygiene, the truth about melatonin, and why captains should care about lighting as a crew wellness investment.Key Takeaways• Blue-Spike LEDs Are Everywhere: Over 2.5 trillion blue-chip LEDs exist globally. They're cheap and bright, but they remove the green and red spectrum – disrupting your circadian rhythm 24/7.• SCRD Is Carcinogenic: Sleep and circadian rhythm disruption is scientifically proven to impact hormones, growth, sleep quality, obesity, hair loss, and menstrual changes.• Full-Spectrum Lighting Changes Everything: Circadian-friendly lighting restores the full visible spectrum (blue, green, red), allowing your brain to recognize time of day and regulate sleep naturally.• The Cabin Is Your Starting Point: Retrofit your crew cabin with full-spectrum bulbs, it's a quick, affordable change with massive impact on sleep quality.• Melatonin Is a Trap: Taking melatonin artificially tells your body to stop producing it naturally. It only helps you fall asleep, not stay asleep – and most supplements are massively overdosed (5–10mg when you only need 2mg).• Sleep Hygiene Protocol Works: Combine full-spectrum lighting with a bedtime routine: Chamomile tea, magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, no screens, no food close to bedtime, consistent sleep times.• Crew Retention & Productivity: Vessels with circadian-friendly lighting attract higher-quality crew, improve focus and cognitive function, and reduce burnout – making it a smart ROI for owners.• Human-Centric Lighting Solves Jet Lag: Tuneable full-spectrum lighting that mimics the sun's pattern throughout the day helps crew time-shift more efficiently when rotating between time zones.About MichaelMichael is a circadian lighting specialist and co-founder of MP Technical Solutions. He's ex-Royal Navy with years of experience in poorly lit maritime environments. After his son was diagnosed with ADHD, Michael discovered that lighting was the missing piece in sleep optimization – and it transformed his family's health, focus, and behaviour.He's now on a mission to bring circadian-friendly, full-spectrum lighting to the yachting industry, working with shipyards, owners, and crew to improve sleep and wellness on board.Services:• Circadian-friendly lighting design and retrofit• Full-spectrum LED solutions for cabins, crew areas, and saloons• Human-centric lighting systems with tuneable colour temperature• Consultation on lighting for new builds and refit projectsConnect with Michael:MP Technical Solutions: ⁠https://www.mptech.solutions/marine-solutions⁠Retrofit Your Cabin with Full-Spectrum Bulbs:• Retrofit MR16 bulbs to full-spectrum (quick, affordable swap)• Fits standard downlights, no rewiring needed• Works with existing dimmer systems• Can be done during normal operationsLet's Stay Connected!• Subscribe so you never miss an episode• Follow us: @thehealthywavepodcast, @thehealthycrewcoach, @wavewellness• Share this episode with crew struggling with sleep, focus, or night shifts• Leave a review if this changed how you think about lighting and sleep• Book a free 30-minute health call with Josie: ⁠https://calendly.com/thehealthycrewcoach/30min⁠• Connect with Michael at MP Technical Solutions for lighting consultations