DAME Awards 2025: Tech-Driven Innovation Defines a Record Year

The 2025 DAME Awards revealed just how rapidly marine technology is evolving, with a strong emphasis on integrated electronics, smart control interfaces, efficiency optimisation and cross-sector engineering. From 146 entries, the Jury shortlisted 67 products and identified major technical trends shaping the next generation of onboard systems.

Navigation & Communication
The overall winner, LXNAV’s E360 round chartplotter, stood out for bringing aviation-style instrumentation into the marine space. Its 4-inch touchscreen, fast NMEA 2000 data handling, built-in Wi-Fi/GPS and chart flexibility demonstrated how compact devices can now offer MFD-level capability. The Jury also recognised Avikus NEUBOAT Dock II and SEA.AI Watchkeeper for advancing autonomous docking support and AI-powered situational awareness—two areas accelerating rapidly in mainstream boating.

Electronic & Electrical Systems
Energy optimisation was a major theme. Simarine’s SAC15R Smart AC Distribution Unit, the category winner, reflects the shift toward unified power management on mixed-voltage vessels. Other notable technologies included AS Labruna VOLTAB for electric integration and LightGraphix’s LD1093Z for ultralow-consumption lighting. These systems show the industry’s push to reduce electrical load while improving data transparency and control.

Propulsion & Dynamics
Manufacturers continued to refine vessel handling through smarter algorithms and more compact mechanical systems. Dometic’s DG3 gyro stabiliser demonstrated improved efficiency and reduced footprint, enabling stabilisation for smaller vessels. Marlic’s 3520 Hydraulic Steering Cylinder and ZF’s POD 4900 highlighted advances in responsiveness, modularity and reduced hydrodynamic drag.

Deck Equipment
Innovation on deck centred on materials and handling performance. Softstep by One Palma showcased lightweight composite step solutions inspired by grand-prix racing. Seldén’s ratchet enhancement for the CXr Code furler and Linnext’s Tender-Rest system illustrated incremental but meaningful improvements to sail handling and tender management.

Safety & Security Aboard
Smarter, data-driven safety tools continued to gain momentum. Garmin’s OnBoard System won the category with its integrated vessel-monitoring approach, while Digital Yacht’s BILGE IQ earned both a Special Mention and an Environmental Design Award for intelligent bilge monitoring that supports both safety and sustainability. Sensar Marine’s Expansion Hub added further capability for modular onboard alerts.

Onboard Facilities, Comfort & Entertainment
Dometic’s CSX Refrigeration System led the way with improved thermal performance and reduced power consumption. Innovations in onboard comfort—such as Smartdeck™ HEAT and the VacuMAX sanitation system—showed how automation and material science are reshaping everyday onboard experiences.

Manufacturing, Support Products & Materials
The category winner, Supersede Marine Board, demonstrated new possibilities in sustainable structural materials. Other Special Mentions—including Effetto Venturi’s GiPSy-mini and Fastmount’s VL-PF3—highlighted precision manufacturing and acoustic optimisation, both increasingly important in modern vessel design.

Environmental Design Awards
Sustainability-focused engineering was strongly represented. One Palma’s IFS Multi Tradewind Sail and Digital Yacht’s BILGE IQ both delivered practical, system-level environmental improvements, from aerodynamic optimisation to pollution-prevention monitoring.

With €21,900 donated to The Ocean Conservation Trust via entry fees, the 2025 DAME Awards underscored a future where advanced marine technology, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility move forward in parallel.