WATSONVILLE, Calif. – West Marine Inc., is seeking entries for its “Green Product of the Year” contest and will award one prize of $10,000 to the winner at the 2010 Miami International Boat Show, the company reported in a release yesterday.
The competition is free and open to individuals, manufacturers, distributors and/or inventors of boating products and is part of West Marine’s mission to improve and protect marine habitats and reduce its impact on the environment, the company said.
The panel of judges for the contest includes:
Dr. Randy Kochevar, PhD, Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station
Mike Sutton, VP and director, Center for the Future of the Oceans, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Ruth Wood, president, BoatU.S. Foundation
Chuck Husick, president, OWA, Inc., former president of Cessna Aircraft and Chris-Craft Boats
Stan Honey, ocean racing navigator, founder of Etak and SportVision
Randy Repass, chairman and founder, West Marine
Chuck Hawley, VP of product information, West Marine
The judges will select the winner based on the following criteria:
Eco-effectiveness: How effectively does the product improve the marine environment, conserve natural resources or reduce the carbon wake of boating operations (e.g., fossil fuel consumption)
Cost-effectiveness: How does the product compare in cost per use or purchase price vs. current products and technologies?
Applicability and breadth of market impact: If implemented or used, how universal is the application of the product for its intended use?
Degree of innovation and originality: How does this product improve upon or replace similar products or solutions currently found in the market? How does this product serve a new green market need or niche not currently served by existing products or solutions? How original is this product, design or solution? Are any new technologies or materials used?
Compliance with official rules: Does the entry and entrant in all respects comply with the official rules?
Participants can enter the contest, as well as view the complete rules and entry requirements, by completing an entry form at westmarine.com/green and submitting it before Nov.1, 2009.
