First prize in this year’s Innovations 2001 competition has been awarded to French anchor manufacturer Mondiale Plaisance Industrie. The competition is run by show organiser Salon Nautique International de Paris in collaboration with the FIN (Federation of French Nautical Industries) and IBI magazine (International Boat Industry). Winning entries are to be showcased at this year’s Paris Boat Show which takes place from November 30-December 10.

The winning product, chosen by a panel of trade professionals and specialist journalists, is the Topgard, a flat anchor with plough-shaped sides. It is a model that performs like a flat anchor in normal position and a plough anchor when positioned on its side.

Chantiers Jeanneau, part of the Bénéteau group, took second prize for its Convertible Cabin, which allows users to change two single cabins into a cabin for two, and back again, in minutes. This five-panel partition is presently installed on Sun Odyssée sailing cruisers, although it can be adapted for other boats.

The ST2 sterilisation cartridge for pressurised water systems, presented by Dessalator, took third place. This refillable plastic cartridge makes sterilising a watermaker easier. It has a 5-micron filter and contains a sterilising powder that keeps the water system germ-free for up to six months.

A Special Award to promote environmentally-friendly products for ports and moorings goes to Sas Met Atlantic for its Parknet, an ecological careening station that provides for the blocking and bracing of vessels while leaving the hull surface entirely accessible for maintenance. It offers the possibility of limiting the water spray and collecting used water to treat it by settling and filtration before disposal.

Innovations awards are presented to innovative products and services that make doing recreational water activities easier and thus encourage more people to enjoy them.

The winners will be presented with their awards at the Paris boat show on Innovation stand in Hall 1.