Oceanmax’s second product makes its first appearance on a major international platform, nominated for the METSTRADE Show’s highest honour after its appearance at this year’s Auckland On Water Boat Show.
Oceanmax’s Lightspeed, the first clear foul-release coating for underwater lights, has been shortlisted for the 2018 DAME Design Award, held annually as part of METSTRADE, the world’s largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials and systems. Placed in the marina equipment, boatyard equipment, and boat construction tools and materials category, Lightspeed is up against five products—Eurodesign Group’s composite teak decking, Kabola Heating Systems’ KB Econoline Hybrid, Pezzolano Ventilation Systems’ TS22 air filtration scrubber, and Trudesign’s saddle clips, base and mould plugs—and the only marine coating to qualify for the competition.
Lightspeed joins a field of 63 products in seven categories nominated to enter the final judging round. Other categories include marine electronics and marine-related software; interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins; deck equipment, sails and rigging; clothing and crew accessories; lifesaving and safety equipment; machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings. Each category winner will then be judged to determine the ultimate winner of the DAME Design Award, which will be announced at the METSTRADE Breakfast Briefing in the Forum of RAI Amsterdam on Tuesday 13 November, held in collaboration with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA).
This year’s key note speaker is Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Groupe Beneteau. Gastinel will provide insights into the challenges that the leisure marine sector is facing and explore new approaches towards sustainability, innovation and evolving consumer trends.
Lightspeed is the second product to be developed by Auckland-based company Oceanmax, who also manufactures Propspeed, the leading foul-release coating for propellers for the last two decades, known for its distinctive gold colour. Lightspeed was soft-launched at the Auckland on Water Boat Show on 27 September 2018, making its international debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on 31 October at the Light Up Your Halloween party, cohosted by the US Superyacht Association. For 28 years, the DAME Design Awards have recognised products at the pinnacle of design practice throughout the global marine industry based on factors including quality, functionality, originality and value.
Lightspeed will be on display alongside the other nominees in the Innovation Lab in Hall 6 of the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. Oceanmax will be in the New Zealand Pavilion in Hall 2 at booth 121.