Innovation Yachts wins Ocean Tribute Award 2023
by Innovation Yachts 2 Feb 2023 07:06 PST
Meeting on stage for closing photo were (from left to right): Hannes Jaenicke, Wolfram Diener, Norbert & Marion Sedlacek Koch, Professor Dr Alexander Liegl, Hans-Peter Walpurgis, Petros Michelidakis, H.E. Lorenzo Ravano, Frank Schweikert, Dirk Steffens © Messe Düsseldorf / Constanze Tillmann
"Innovation Yachts", the shipyard of Norbert Sedlacek Koch and his wife Marion Koch has won the "Ocean Tribute Award 2023" of the Prince Albert II Foundation, the German Ocean Foundation and boot Düsseldorf for the world's first completely recyclable and sustainable catamaran, the IY LBV35, made of composite materials for series production!
The IY LBV35 is the first model in a new series of sustainable and fully recyclable boats which we developped with our partner La Bella Verde. It is also electrically powered by solar energy and a hydrogenator. As a highlight has this catamaran a "ocean cleaning system", which means that it can lower the forward trampoline when sailing to collect floating rubbish. In addition, the company also guarantees to buy back all building materials (volcanic fibre, balsa wood (FSC) & bio-sourced epoxy resin) from the customer in case of damage or at the end of the product life cycle.
Laudator Hannes Jaenicke announced the result of the jury and the public vote. The popular German actor has been involved in marine and species protection for many years and has often appeared in public with his concerns at the boot in Düsseldorf.
"The Ocean Tribute Award as an ocean conservation award is very close to all our hearts. The cleanliness of oceans and waters is more topical than ever and the protection of our seas is of enormous importance to each and every one of us," says Frank Schweikert, Chairman of the German Ocean Foundation.
A jury of experts from science and research as well as representatives of the foundations and boot Düsseldorf screened the applicants for this year's "Ocean Tribute" Award and selected five particularly committed projects. The jury placed particular emphasis on the practical effectiveness of the project, the involvement of as many people as possible in the initiative and networking with other ocean activists.
"After 13 years of intensive development work, this award is an important and highly motivating confirmation and appreciation for us, which will also drive us forward in the future to work uncompromisingly on the development of clean yachts and their technology for the protection of the oceans," with these words Norbert and Marion Sedlacek Koch thanked the jurors and numerous invited guests from politics and industry.