METSTRADE goes ahead despite a last minute scare - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 18 Nov 2021 23:00 GMT
30th anniversary DAME Award at METSTRADE 2021 goes to Volvo Penta Assisted Docking System © Pieter Magielsen
The world's largest marine trade show took place over the past three days, but was almost cancelled at the last minute. A surge in Covid cases in Holland triggered increased movement restrictions but due to sufficient safety measures at the Amsterdam location, the show was allowed to proceed. A number of exhibitors cancelled their attendance but overall, the show was deemed a major success.
As we lead into the southern hemisphere summer months, METS provides an early indication of the health of the marine industry globally but also a platform for new products to be exhibited and to receive the scrutiny of the show organisers; there is a series of awards handed out to what are considered the best products. It would be remiss of us if we did not give plenty of coverage to those products and this week's newsletter includes a number of awards to products that are set to become available in this country.
Mark Jardine, Sail-World Managing Editor, was an attendee at the show and he describes his feelings ahead of the announcement that the show was to go ahead: "It's an odd thing taking a flight into a country which is in lockdown. Some would regard it as foolhardy, some plain stupid, others brave and the full range in-between. For better or for worse that's exactly what I've done and I'm now in Amsterdam, ready for the METSTRADE Show, the world's largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials, and systems. The list of innovations first shown at METS is endless, and while products can be shown in videos, photos and articles - which we do on our websites - there's simply no substitute for seeing them in the flesh and talking to the teams that developed them."
This year's Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, jointly organised by IBI and METSTRADE and held in association with Raymarine, saw Leon Slikkers honoured for Lifetime Achievement, Elan Yachts' Marko Škrbin named as this year's Rising Star and boatbuilding companies and their supply chain partners praised for achievement in innovation, collaboration, sustainability and marketing. The seventh edition of the Boat Builder Awards received more than 100 nominations this year, with 21 companies from 11 countries named as finalists, from which seven winners and five Honourable Mentions were named. The awards ceremony was held on Wednesday 17 November, under the carefully controlled Covid protocol of RAI Amsterdam.
Mastervolt, a division of Brunswick Corporation's Advanced Systems Group (ASG), has been awarded a 2021 DAME Design Award in the Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical Systems and Fittings category for its MLI Ultra 1250 battery. Making its world debut this year, the MLI Ultra 1250 is the most compact battery in Mastervolt's range and is ideal for both marine and mobile applications. This is due to the high energy density within the battery cells which together offers up to 70% space and weight savings compared to traditional lead-acid batteries.
Weighing just 15 kg and measuring 330 x 173 x 210 mm, the MLI Ultra 1250 offers a considerable benefit for vessels and vehicles where space is at a premium. It has been designed as a drop-in replacement for size Group 31 and Group 49 (85-90 Ah) batteries. The DAME Awards jury stated, "Mastervolt's MLI Ultra 1250 lays a significant marker in terms of where battery technology is headed."
New at this year's METSTRADE, Smartgyro announces the addition of the SG60 unit to further expand its unique line-up of advanced gyroscopic stabilizers and meet the needs of more boat owners and builders. The introduction of the latest model, suitable for boats from 55 feet to 65 feet, follows the launch of the new SG20 (for boats from 45 feet to 55 feet) earlier this year, enabling Smartgyro to offer its industry-first design benefits and advanced roll reduction technology for a variety of vessels in the 30 feet to 80 feet range. With further units under development, the strengthened SG series now consists of the SG20, SG40, SG60 and SG80 with a growing dealer network in place to supply to customers around the world.
Andre Hoek, Chair of the DAME Jury, festively presented the 30th anniversary DAME Award (overall winner) to the Volvo Penta Assisted Docking System (Stand 07.108). 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.
And METS is not only supported by Australian companies in this region. While long-known for having a progressive approach to technology, the introspective moments of 2020 and 2021 have seen New Zealand's marine industry take innovation and run with it. A category-leading remotely operated vehicle and game-changing Multibeam Sounder technology are just some of the products to discover when the New Zealand marine industry brought its hive of innovation to METS. With 12 New Zealand companies represented, visitors to the New Zealand and Superyacht Pavilions were able to see the surprising effects the last couple of years have had on the southern hemisphere nation's marine sector.
METS' international audience who visited the New Zealand stand can look forward to high performance products that move the industry forward in effectiveness and performance, while retaining the country's signature approach to sustainability.
More new product news includes Vetus Maxwell. VETUS is adding the highest output thrusters yet to its expanding line-up of advanced BOW PRO units with the launch of the BOW PRO Boosted 300 series. The new BOWB285, BOWB300 and BOWB320 thrusters are VETUS's most powerful BOW PRO thrusters and the first units in the 300mm tunnel range. Suitable for boats up to 30m (approximately 100ft), the latest models enable more boat owners to experience the innovative DC-to-DC charging technology, exceptionally quiet operation, precision proportional control and long run time of the unique BOW PRO Boosted (BOWB) range. Skippers and crew using the new VETUS units can be confident they can extensively use their thruster system when docking or manoeuvring without the fear of overuse or overheating issues which can affect conventional thrusters.
And new boat news comes from Windcraft who now distribute the RYCK range of dayboats. RYCK is an exciting new range of luxury sports day boats that combine all the versatility of a RIB with high-quality appointments usually found on luxury tenders. RYCK is a freshly launched line of fast, walk-around centre-console boats capable of adapting to a wide variety of uses: family entertainer, fast tender, adventure sports day boat or premium fishing platform.
The first RYCK model is the RYCK 280, made in Germany by the well-known Hanse AG group and developed in cooperation with renown UK yacht designer Bill Dixon. His two-stepped hull and reverse bow design provides an exceptionally smooth, dry ride in all conditions. When you are safely tucked-up at a secluded anchorage, courtesy of an electric windlass, the RYCK 280 seamlessly switches into entertaining mode with cockpit lounge, sun pads, wet bar, grill and dining table. A generous sized cabin downstairs with a separate bathroom ensures a comfortable overnight stay or weekend getaway.
Keep your news coming. With nearly 7,000 subscribers to this newsletter it's a great way of advising the industry of your latest achievements, events, personnel, new products and seminars to name a few.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com