Volvo Penta’s Assisted Docking System (pictured above) was the big winner at the recent METS trade show in Amsterdam. It won the prestigious DAME award at the start of the show. Five more products were named Category Winners, and 15 more received Special Mentions. Here’s the news from METS:
Volvo Penta Assisted Docking
Company: AB Volvo Penta
Category: Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings
Jury Comment: Volvo Penta has maximised the advantage it has of being able to independently vector thrust from its proven IPS (Inboard Performance System) drives. The Assisted Docking system digitally controls that ability using an Electronic Vessel Control system and integrated Dynamic Position System to provide hitherto unknown levels of fine manoeuvring ability. The system is easily operated via a joystick controller, even by a novice user of a motor yacht. A 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.
DAME Award Category Winners 2021
ResQLink View RLS Personal Locator Beacon
Company:ACR Electronics
Category: Lifesaving and safety equipment
Jury Comment: The Jury viewed two personal locator beacons this year incorporating Galileo’s new GNSS Return Link alerting technology to provide an indication of distress receipt and rescue action. It was ACR’s integration of this technology into its very well designed ResQLink View RLS Personal Locator Beacon that was judged best. This unit is compact yet usable in extremis, very cohesive and confidence inspiring. The concept of providing hope to a cold shocked person in the water via a message on the ACR’s screen could just be the difference between life and death, so kudos to Galileo also.
MLI Ultra 1250 (Mastervolt Lithium Ion Ultra 1250)
Company: Advanced Systems Group EMEA B.V.
Category: Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings
Jury Comment: Mastervolt’s MLI Ultra 1250 lays a significant marker in terms of where battery technology is headed. This compact lithiumion battery is considerably smaller and lighter compared to equivalent conventional cells, neatly packaged in the manufacturer’s house style, nominally rated at 100Ah and available in 12V and 24V versions. It incorporates a Battery Management System, heat pad for cold weather operation and IP65 rating, as well as MasterBus, CZone and NMEA2000 compatible communication. An integrated battery switch automatically disconnects cells if issues arise with temperature, charge current and other factors. Read more:
https://www.metstrade.com/awards/dame-winner/
