FLIR Systems wins DAME - Design Award METS 2009

Bill Dixon, Chairman of the Jury of the DAME, presented the Award to the winner of the prestigious prize at the start of METS. An excerpt of the Jury Report on the DAME winner:

Guy Pas, vice president FLIR Commercial Vision Systems BV The Overall Winner of the DAME Award 2009 is FLIR Systems from the Netherlands for the M-626L Series Thermal Night Vision System. This system incorporates a micro-lux, low-light camera for improved visibility during twilight hours and a 26-degree field of view - an improvement of 25% over previous cameras. The judges were impressed by the unit’s sleek design, Ethernet capability, and ease of installation by any OEM. The unit is operated with a remote joystick from anywhere on the vessel. While the cost is relatively high, the Jury felt that the unit provides user satisfaction beyond anything currently on the market. Even in total darkness the captain of a vessel can see channel markers, other boats, people in the water, and the shore line from greater distances than ever before.


The DAME Award's Jury chairman, Bill Dixon, commented on what this year's number of entries implies about the importance of new marine products in the current economy. "Despite a difficult economic climate," Dixon said, "we had 125 entries, which shows that marine businesses recognize the value of continuing to develop innovative products. This can only lead to better business opportunities when the market strengthens and boat buyers look to upgrade their yachts. Customers are becoming more appreciative of both innovation and good design, as well as of products that help to safeguard the environment. The wide range of products entered in this year's DAME Awards competition reflects these market trends."

The Winners

Overall DAME Winner 2009 M-626L by FLIR Systems01.308

This year's Category Winners are:
Category Category Winner Stand
Marine electronics M-626L by FLIR Systems01.308
Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins HALLEY by Foresti & Suardi S.p.A.01.557
Deck equipment, sails, and rigging SCR by Hall Spars & Rigging01.407
Clothing and crew accessories Blue Eco Jacket by Henri Lloyd03.137
Life saving and safety equipment RIB Ladder by Armstrong Nautical Products11.613
Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings GPX-5, the Ultimate Hybrid Power Solution by Mastervolt02.321
Marine related software iSiMON by Palladium Technologies, Inc.10.522

This year's special certificates were awarded to:
'Most ECO-Friendly Product' certificate Blue Eco Jacket by Henri Lloyd03.137
'Most Innovative Product' certificate SilKEN by Kenyon02.214

Category Special MentionStand
Marine electronics:
  • Navico Broadband Radar (BR24)
    		• 01.120
    Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins:
  • Kenyon SilKEN
  • ITT Lite Flush
  • Wempe NAVIGATOR
    		• 02.214
    01.530
    01.414
    Marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools and materials
  • DRAINMAN Powered by nature
    		• 09.209
    Deck equipment, sails, and rigging
  • Admiral Marine Equipment Race & Reef Furler
  • Future Fibres Low Profile (LP) Adjuster
  • Perfix Q-SNAP
  • Seasmart Hook Smart
    		• 02.141
    01.640
    11.104
    05.327
    Clothing and crew accessories
  • MUSTO Active Base Layer
    		• 03.317
    Life saving and safety equipment
  • McMurdo Fast Find 210
    		• 03.402
    Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings
  • Dometic Breathe Easy Air Purifier
  • Fischer Panda HybridDriveSystem
    		• 10.417
    02.500
    Marine related software
  • Kelvin Hughes, Wiley Nautical Almanac 2009
    		• 01.123



    Background
    The 19th annual Design Award METS competition attracted a total of 125 products from 108 companies. A total of 53 products were short listed for final consideration in 2009 and these are the 'Nominated' products that appear in the DAME stand at METS. From these the Jury selected the Overall DAME Winner, together with 7 outright Category Winners, and two special certificates for 'Most ECO Friendly' and 'Most Innovative' product and 14 Special Mentions.

    DAME participants support AMREF - Flying doctors
    All participating companies paid a non-refundable registration fee per product entered to support a worthy charity. On the opening of METS a cheque of 18,750 Euros was handed to Ms. Jacqueline Lampe, Director of AMREF Flying Doctors, based in the Netherlands. The funds will be used for their project in Mtwara, Tanzania, to create accessible water supplies and sanitary facilities. Residents in Mtwara take an active part in the project by organising educational events to raise awareness for clean water, health and hygiene for everyone.

    In the DAME stand, located in the Elicium, you can find more information on AMREF as well as all nominated products and winners.