Dame 2019 winner highlights that accepted norms can be improved

Birgit Schnaase, Chair of the Jury, presented the prestigious DAME Award 2019 at the commencement of the METSTRADE show this morning to the U SAFE self-propelled lifebuoy. Winners were named in all categories and 17 received Special Mentions.

This year saw several Category Winners reach a closely debated final round to decide the overall DAME prize. The ultimate decision went to the U SAFE, a reinvention of the traditional life-saving ring that is auto-propelled and remote controlled.

Featuring robust, understated and very clean design, the U SAFE can be launched from boat, marina or shore in line of site at speeds of up to 15kph and operates for up to 30 minutes. The design incorporates completely flush jet drives and large rigid grab holds, as well as an easy-to-access u-shaped area to swim into. It offers the promise of enhanced lifesaving options for casualties in the water, with less risk to rescuers.

The Jury found the U SAFE to be a perfect example of how accepted norms for products in widespread use across the marine leisure world can be examined and improved by great design effort.

Commenting on the result, Chair of the Jury, Birgit Schnaase stated: “We discussed at our Jury meeting this year just how influential design is in the world around us. It is critical that marine companies focus on design, in all of its aspects, to ensure that consumer expectations are met when they go boating. We also need smart design to address important issues like production efficiency, environmental impact improvement and greater integration. The role of the DAME Awards in identifying stand-out examples of good practice has never been more valuable.

“The mix of entries this year was submitted from the largest number of countries yet seen in the DAME. Our final selection represents a wide-ranging field of products, from new materials and items of personal boating equipment, to complex electronics and large items of machinery. All providing evidence of further strength in the field of marine industry design.”

€17,700 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 2019 the METSTRADE Exhibition Committee selected two charities to receive the funds – sailing4handicaps and The Little Optimist Trust. Each received a cheque for €8,850 to assist their very worthy initiatives at the DAME Awards presentation this morning.

DAME Award 2019

U-SAFE TRADING U SAFE
Stand 07.108

This year’s Category winners

MARINE ELECTRONICS AND MARINE RELATED SOFTWARE
Garmin GPSMAP 86i
Stand 01.101, 01.103, 01.200

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT, FURNISHINGS, MATERIALS AND ELECTRICAL FITTINGS USED IN CABINS
Lumitec Moray Flex Light
Stand 12.505

MARINA EQUIPMENT, BOATYARD EQUIPMENT AND BOAT CONSTRUCTION TOOLS AND MATERIALS
LIGNIA Wood Company
Stand CMP.15

DECK EQUIPMENT, SAILS AND RIGGING
Karver KCW Compact Winch and KWH Winch Handle
Stand 12.113

CLOTHING AND CREW ACCESSORIES
Mustang Callan Waterproof Jacket and Salopettes
Stand 12.312

LIFESAVING AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT
U-SAFE TRADING U SAFE
Stand 07.108

MACHINERY, PROPULSION, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS AND FITTINGS
Joint winners
Garmin Force Trolling Motor
Stand 01.101, 01.103, 01.200

Navico GHOST Trolling Motor
Stand 01.152

Special mentions

Marine Electronics and Marine Related Software
Digital Yacht GPS160 TriNav Positioning Sensor
Stand 01.434

FLIR M364C Marine Thermal Camera System
Stand 01.111

Raymarine DockSense Alert Assisted Docking
Stand 01.111

Vesper Cortex
Stand 02.214

Interior Equipment, Furnishing, Materials and Electrical Fittings Used in Cabins
Lumishore Lumi-Link Wireless
Stand 03.212

Marina Equipment, Boatyard Equipment and Boat Construction Tools and Materials
Teakdecking systems The Applicator
Stand CMP.24.EL

Deck Equipment, Sails and Rigging
Bamar BFBMMSS Boom Furling Manual Mechanism
Stand 01.813

Fender Design FlexiCush
Stand 01.415

Marlow Blue Ocean Dockline
Stand 03.301

Scanstrut ROKK Wireless - Active/Edge
Stand 03.502, 03.510

Clothing and Crew Accessories
Dacoblue collapsible fuel and water backpack
Stand 07.225

Ursuit Gemino Navigator
Stand 07.268

Lifesaving and Safety Equipment
ACR ResQLink View Personal Locator Beacon
Stand 03.131

Spinlock Deckvest 6D Lifejacket
Stand 07.247

Wichard offshore rescue knife
Stand 01.725

Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Fittings
Dometic Optimus Electric Remote Mount Steering Actuator
Stand 07.131, 07.138, 07.143, 07.147

Teignbridge Clamp on Blade Propeller
Stand 12.818