Amsterdam, 3 March 2010 - The winner of the HISWA Innovation Award 2010 is the Rescue Laser Flare, imported by Bomarine (Voorburg, NL). The flare was described by the jury as a major addition to the existing emergency equipment for search and rescue operations. The Motorboat of the Year Award was presented to the Greenline Hybrid (imported by Nova Yachting, Bruinisse, NL), which the jury called a daring concept. The winners were announced on the evening of 2 March at the HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show. All the boats and products nominated for the HISWA Innovation Award will be on display at the watersports exhibition in Amsterdam RAI until Sunday 7 March.
Bomarine’s Rescue Laser Flare wins HISWA Innovation Award
The Rescue Laser Flare sends a laser beam to a special lens, which creates a conically-shaped and bright beam of light that is visible many kilometres away. The jury tested the laser flare in various conditions and was impressed by the reach of this practical device. The deciding factor was the potentially life-saving aspect of the Rescue Laser Flare: “This shows that a relatively small device can have an enormous impact,” announced the jury

The smallest size of the laser flare easily fits in a sailing suit, while the largest version is very suitable for life rafts. “Due to the remarkable effect of the laser beam as well as the reliability and long lifespan using standard batteries, the Rescue Laser Flare is a very valuable complement to existing distress signals,” the jury added.

The HISWA Innovation Award was established in 1994 to stimulate exhibitor innovations. The criteria followed by the jury include the product’s innovative character, usability, added value to the consumer market and price range. Other nominees for the 2010 award were the Drainman by Technautic, a pump for keeping cockpits free of water, and the Sea-me Dual Band active radar reflector by Robwink, which makes a vessel visible on two radar frequencies instead of one. The HISWA Innovation Award jury is comprised of industry experts and members of the watersports media.

Motorboat of the Year 2010 goes to Greenline 33 Hybrid
According to the jury, the Greenline 33 Hybrid stood out due to a daring concept based upon a fresh perspective and realised with considerable courage from start to finish. Designed to optimise electric sailing, the boat has a highly innovative character as well as low sound levels and an excellent performance. The jury also commended its appropriate price/quality ratio.

In addition to the Greenline Hybrid, the expert jury of editors from Dutch and Belgian watersports magazines nominated the Bavaria Deep Blue 46 Sport Top and the Rego Fury 1010. The evaluation was based on various criteria, with innovatiion being the most significant, followed by construction and performance and, to a slightly lesser degree, design and price/quality ratio.

HISWA 2010
The HISWA 2010 started on Tuesday 2 March in Amsterdam RAI and will run until 7 March. It is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00 and from 10.00 to 22.00 on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 March. Children up to the age of 16 can visit the exhibition free of charge.