TeamO’s Offshore 150N Hi-Lift Lifejacket & Harness is the DAME Design Award winner for 2024.
The DAME Award jury found TeamO had ‘dared to think different’ with the lifejacket which has a twisted bladder design that moves most of the wasted buoyancy above the waterline of a conventional design to an inflated pillow on the users back.
This has the effect of directly lifting the upper torso out of the water, keeping the wearer’s nose and mouth higher.
The wide set front of the jacket provides stability in the water and controls the orientation of the face and body in line with ISO Standards.
In addition, the performance increase of the 150N Hi-Lift now outperforms the ISO standard for a 275N lifejacket.
It was very encouraging to see such a strong field of entries spanning the whole of the leisure marine sector.
Andre Hoek
The re-distribution of the bladder volume allows the product to be slimmer when packed, making it much more likely to be worn when on, and near, the water.
The jury also noted a significant number of other excellent design features in the product and commended it for being a strong step forward in a vital long-standing element of leisure marine equipment.
The jury also identified eight category winners, nine Special Mentions and named two Environmental DAME Design Awards winners.
“It was very encouraging to see such a strong field of entries spanning the whole of the leisure marine sector, with products for people and the smallest boats right up to high-end superyacht equipment,” said Andre Hoek, chair of the DAME Design Awards jury.
“In addition to genuine breakthrough launches, the jury was equally pleased to see many products where designers have iteratively improved the user experience and exploited latest technologies to meet emerging demands.
“Smart design unlocks the door to a fully sustainable approach, in manufacturing, recyclability, longevity, usability and serviceability.”
And he added that the jury had been drawn towards the high number of entries driven by developing technologies that will serve the marine industry’s future needs in areas such as electrification and networking.
Each year the organisers of the METSTRADE Show donates the combined registration fees for the DAME Design Awards to selected charities.
This year €17,100 was raised which was donated to SailWise, a Dutch organisation providing active multi-day water sports activities for those with disabilities was the recipient.
Category winners:
Personal equipment: TeamO Offshore 150N Hi-Lift Lifejacket & Harness
Comfort & entertainment afloat: Indel Webasto Marine Slim-Fit Cooling Unit
Navigation & communication: Raymarine RSW Wired Smart Wind transducer
Electronic & electric systems: Egis Mobile Electric XD Series NMEA-2000 Controllable Remote Battery Switching & Charge Management
Propulsion & dynamics: YANMAR Marine International E-Saildrive
Deck equipment: Karver Systems KJS12 Karver rope clutch
Security & safety aboard: AirMarker R.Four
Shoreside equipment & materials: North Sails NPL RENEW
Environmental DAME Design Awards winners: CMP Group SMartyr SCP Anode / YANMAR Marine International E-Saildrive
Special Mentions
Personal equipment: Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Motion
Comfort & entertainment Afloat: GN Espace Galley Solutions ECO Door
Navigation & communication: Navico Group NSX ULTRAWIDE / Raymarine Pathfinder Commercial Radar
Electronic & electric systems: Rondal Hydro Generator
Propulsion & dynamics: Mitek REVOLVE
Deck equipment: Ankerplex
Security & safety onboard: CMP Group SMartyr SCP Anode / Ocean Signal ACR ResQFlare Pro
