METSTRADE opens & Volvo Penta wins DAME Award 2021
The overall winner of this year’s DAME award reflects trend ‘to make boating more accessible’, according to the judging panel. Andre Hoek, chair of the DAME Award jury, presented the 30th anniversary DAME Award 2021 at the opening of the Metstrade show this morning (16 November 2021) to the Volvo Penta Assisted Docking System.
A further five products were named as category winners and 15 received special mentions (see below).
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.
Commenting on the result, Hoek says: “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.”
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.
In a statement, the Metstrade jury panel stated: ‘Volvo Penta’s Assisted Docking is a welcome development to address changing market landscapes where boating needs to become less difficult and more accessible.”
DAME Award 2021
Volvo Penta Assisted Docking
Stand 07.108
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
Marina Equipment, Boatyard Equipment and Boat Construction Tools and Materials
No category winner this year.
Deck Equipment, Sails and Rigging
Bonomi JOY Self-Tailing Cleat
Stand 05.108
Clothing and Crew Accessories
No category winner this year
Lifesaving and Safety Equipment
ACR Electronics ResQLink View RLS Personal Locator Beacon
Stand 03.212
Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Fittings
The Jury named joint winners in this category
Mastervolt MLI Ultra 1250
Stand 02.321
Volvo Penta Assisted Docking
Stand 05.651
This year’s special mentions
Marine Electronics and Marine Related Software
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
Dometic M65 Gravity Toilet
Stand 01.171, 01.271t
Morbern MorGreen Evohide Mistral FRee
Stand 02.525
Marina Equipment, Boatyard Equipment and Boat Construction Tools and Materials
No special mentions were awarded in this category.
Deck Equipment, Sails and Rigging
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
Spinlock Waterproof Essentials Packs
Stand 01.570
Lifesaving and Safety Equipment
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
Mercury 7.6L V12 600hp Verado
Stand 02.418
REMIGO RemigoOne
Stand 01.470
This year, €15,450 was raised by DAME entrants for worthy causes. 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 to receive the 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.
