Tuesday, 12 April 2005 | Levent OZLER
Innovative in Life Jacket Design Competition
Current models of life jackets save lives everyday, however, a 2004 Boat U.S. Foundation study found that many boaters often don't wear them because they are uncomfortable. So what would a life jacket look and feel like if there were no government guidelines?
To encourage innovative ideas and new technology to design a life jacket that the majority of boaters might wear, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) are sponsoring an "Innovative in Life Jacket Design Competition", which seeks entries that embrace new technologies and out-of-the-box thinking to solve the age-old problem of why certain boaters won't routinely wear life jackets.
Entries are being encouraged from armchair inventors to high school science clubs and collegiate design programs. The winning designer will receive $5,000 award.
The competition will be judged based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation. "Wearability" relates to the level of comfort. "Reliability" will take into account the chances for potential failure, while "cost" will look at the affordability of the design. "Innovation" will take into account originality or the employment of new technologies.
There are no rules regarding types of materials to be used or whether the design meets any current U.S. Coast Guard or Underwriters Laboratory standards. However, certain entries may be submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard to review for possible financial assistance toward gaining full USCG approval.
Entries do not have to include a working model or prototype, as detailed drawings will be accepted. For more information including an entry form and contest rules, visit http://www.boatus.com/foundation/lifejacketdesign/ or Bernice McArdle at 312-946-6280/BMcArdle@ NMMA.org
Entries will be accepted until December 15, 2005, with the winner announced at the Miami International Boat Show in February, 2006.
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