CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on the following criteria:

• Wearability: How comfortable is the life jacket? (e.g. does it restrict movement? Would a boater be likely to wear it because it is less bulky or uncomfortable?)
• Reliability: Does it work every time? Are there any chances for potential failures? Does wearer have to do something to make it work or does it function autonomously?
• Cost: What is the expected pricing? Is it affordable for the average boater? (A retail price point of under $25-$30 is encouraged, but not mandatory).
• Innovation: How creative or original is the solution? Are any new technologies or materials being utilized?

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• The competition is open to anyone – professionals, amateurs and students alike. Additionally, teams and groups are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants should keep a copy of their entry.
• Complete contact information for the applicant (individual or team) MUST be marked clearly on the back of EACH AND EVERY design for each and every entry .
• Please make sure that contact information is current and will be current for at least one year after the final submission deadline.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Working model/prototype or detailed drawing (hereafter, all referred to as "designs") with a component and material list with cost estimates must be included.
• All design ideas must be submitted in English.
• Completed and signed entry form must accompany submission
• Multiple submissions are welcomed
• Designs must be submitted via FED EX, UPS etc so they can be tracked
• Number entries consecutively on the back in the upper right hand corner. Example: If you submit 4 designs, they will be numbered as follows - #1 of 4, #2 of 4, etc.
• DESIGNS WILL NOT BE RETURNED

DEADLINE:

• All designs must be submitted on or before December 15, 2005. Winners will be announced at the 2006 Miami International Boat Show.

PRIZE:

• The winning design will receive $5,000.00 in U.S. dollars awarded at the Miami Boat Show in February 2006 if the winner is present.
• Winner does not need to be present to win—but if we are unable to contact winner through provided information, prize will be forfeited after 30 days.
• Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of valid notification.
• Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state or local taxes, tariffs or import duty fees and must provide social security or federal tax i.d. number as a condition of receiving the prize.

SEND SUBMISSIONS TO:
Ruth Wood - BoatU.S. Foundation
BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water
880 S. Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA 22304

FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPETITION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
Bernice McArdle, Executive Director
PFDMA
200 East Randolph
Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601
312-946-6280
bmcardle@nmma.org

Ruth Wood, President
BoatU.S. Foundation
880 S. Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-823-9550 ext. 3204
rwood@boatus.com

Terms and Conditions

• All applicants agree/grant that any design that they submit to the competition may be used fully by the Boat US Foundation and the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) (hereafter known as “Organizers”) for marketing and promotional purposes directly related to the competition. This use may include publication in any Organizer publications, printed materials, or electronic media, including, but not limited to the Organizers web site, catalog, annual books and presentations. Use may also include publication in a media sponsor publication by the Organizers.
  
• Applicants submit designs at their own Risk. The Organizers will take the utmost care and caution to maintain designs in their original condition. However, APPLICANTS SUBMIT DESIGNS AND MATERIALS AT THEIR OWN RISK. APPLICANTS AGREE THAT THEY WAIVE ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS CLAIMS IN THE EVENT OF DAMAGE OR LOSS OF THEIR SUBMITTED DESIGN(S).
  
• The Organizers, its members, agents or competition judges acknowledge they have no intellectual or other property rights to any entries, whether conceptual, experimental or prototypical, except as expressly provided in these rules. Attaining such rights, whether based on patent, trademark, copyright or otherwise, is the responsibility of the applicant, and each entrant is strongly encouraged to do so prior to submitting his/her entry. By submitting his/her/their/its design(s), applicants expressly waive and release any and all claims against Organizers, their directors, officers, employees, members and agents based on or arising in any way from alleged infringement of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property law and relating to the commercial use, sale or exploitation of the design(s).
  
• The applicant retains ownership of all designs & prototypes but gives the Organizers permission to use, publish or republish the design and the applicant’s biographical information and pictures through any media deemed appropriate by the Organizers. Applicant must warrant that he/she/they are the sole creator of the design, which consists entirely of the applicant’s original work. All rights revert back to the applicant in February 2007, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
  
• Organizers’ use of the designs in publications as provided herein as a result of the competition does not constitute Organizers’ endorsement of the products or services.
  
• Applicants must have sufficient permission of any recognizable models or other persons appearing in the design to be able to grant to the Organizers the right to display their design submission online and must provide evidence of such permission as a condition of receipt of the prize.
  
• Employees or agents of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or PFDMA, and their immediate families are not eligible to participate in this competition. Notwithstanding the above, member organizations of PFDMA are expressly eligible to participate in this competition.
  
• All judges decisions are final.