DAME Awards 2021 winner highlights trend to make boating more accessible
by Petra IJmker, METSTRADE 16 Nov 2021 02:51 PST
16-18 November 2021
30th anniversary DAME Award at METSTRADE 2021 goes to Volvo Penta Assisted Docking System © Pieter Magielsen
Andre Hoek, Chair of the DAME Jury, festively presented the 30th anniversary DAME Award 2021 at the commencement of the METSTRADE show this morning to the Volvo Penta Assisted Docking System (Stand 07.108). A further five products were named as Category Winners and 15 received Special Mentions.
The Volvo Penta Assisted Docking System works with the company's proven IPS propulsion drives to provide hitherto unknown levels of fine manoeuvring control in motor yachts, with the ability to take wind and current into account. It is easily operated via a joystick controller, even by a novice user of a motor yacht. Its Glass Cockpit System assists situational awareness. If the person at the helm needs more time to think, they can take their hand off the joystick and the boat holds its precise position until the control is touched again.
In reaching its decision, the DAME Jury recognised the Assisted Docking solution is the result of much research, development and extensive software and hardware design. The system is intuitive to use but Volvo Penta obviously paid attention to more than core function and innovation. For example, the ergonomics and aesthetics of the hand controller provide a feeling of confidence in the system even before you use it.
Great design has a critical role to play in bringing new people into boating. Volvo Penta's Assisted Docking is a welcome development to address changing market landscapes where boating needs to become less difficult and more accessible.
Commenting on the result, Chair of the DAME Jury, Andre Hoek stated: "The world has changed in so many ways since we last physically gathered as a Jury in 2019. "Pandemic restrictions have greatly heightened our appreciation of the environment. The lifestyle benefits of marine leisure are drawing in a whole new generation in a way that we could not have imagined just two years ago".
"Sustainable product lifecycle and making boating more accessible for novice users are critical design priorities as we move through this decade. It is appropriate therefore that the Jury selected the Volvo Penta Assisted Docking system as its DAME Award for 2021. This product is a brilliant example of how we can harness great design and evolving technology to safely remove barriers to entry."
Each year the organisers of the METSTRADE Show donate the combined registration fees for the DAME Design Award to selected charities as a way of giving back to society. For 2021 the METSTRADE Exhibition Committee selected the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) to receive the €15,450 donation. Funds from this year will assist projects to protect marine life and preserve the environment in the Berwickshire Marine Reserve on the east coast of Scotland.
www.metstrade.com/awards
This year's category winners:
Marine Electronics and Marine Related Software - Garmin Surround View Camera System (Stand 01.101, 01.103, 01.200)
Interior Equipment, Furnishing, Materials and Electrical Fittings used in Cabins - Dometic Voyager TX Series (Stand 01.171, 01.271)
Deck Equipment, Sails and Rigging - Bonomi JOY Self-Tailing Cleat (Stand 05.108)
Lifesaving and Safety Equipment - ACR Electronics ResQLink View RLS Personal Locator Beacon (Stand 03.212)
Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Fittings (joint winners) - Mastervolt MLI Ultra 1250 (Stand 02.321) and Volvo Penta Assisted Docking (Stand 05.651)
Marina Equipment, Boatyard Equipment and Boat Construction Tools and Materials - No category winner this year
Clothing and Crew Accessories - No category winner this year
Marine Electronics and Marine Related Software - Special Mentions:
Calypso Instruments Ultrasonic Portable Mini (Stand 01.183)
ICOM IC-M94DE (Stand 01.151)
Pixel sur mer EXOCET Gold (Stand 05.554)
Raymarine Cyclone (Stand 01.111)
Interior Equipment, Furnishing, Materials and Electrical Fittings Used in Cabins - Special Mentions:
Dometic M65 Gravity Toilet (Stand 01.171, 01.271t)
Morbern MorGreen Evohide Mistral FRee (Stand 02.525)
Deck Equipment, Sails and Rigging - Special Mentions:
Karver Systems KF Bio Concept (Stand 05.323)
Rapid Marine Universal Chocks (Stand 02.533)
Rigging Projects RP Steering Hub (Stand 05.854)
Clothing and Crew Accessories - Special Mentions:
Spinlock Waterproof Essentials Packs (Stand 01.570)
Lifesaving and Safety Equipment - Special Mentions:
Plastimo SLR196 (Stand 05.241)
SEA-FIRE 2 Litre AVD Fire Extinguisher (Stand 02.109)
Spinlock Nemo Baby & Junior 150N Lifejacket Harness (Stand 01.570)
Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Fittings - Special Mentions:
Mercury 7.6L V12 600hp Verado (Stand 02.418)
REMIGO RemigoOne (Stand 01.470)
Marina Equipment, Boatyard Equipment and Boat Construction Tools and Materials - Special Mentions:
No Special Mentions were awarded in this category