26.11.20 

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REGIONAL WIN FOR AUSSIE INNOVATION AWARD.

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Hervey Bay-based boat builder BtB Marine has been striving  to improve environmental sustainability through innovation for many years, and last week at the 2020 Australian Marine Industry Awards, that passion was recognised when their Indigo Project 750ULR Ultra Long Range Workboat won the Most Innovative Commercial Marine Project or Service category.

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BtB Marine is leading the way in next generation cost-effective commercial workboat designs in the Asia-Pacific region, embracing new diesel outboard technology to reduce emissions and improve effiency and OPEX. Their 7.5m Ultra Long Range 750ULR workboat is a trailerable design powered by a 200 or 300 Hp OXE Diesel Outboard Engine, giving it a range of approximately 600 nautical miles and requiring only 200-hour service periods.

 

“BtB Marine has always come from a philosophy of looking at better ways to build cost-effective vessels,” said BtB Marine General Manager Chris Hough. “Reliability and practicality are paramount issues for fleet operators, and our vessels continually deliver minimal maintenance downtime for them. Busy ports need reliable, efficient workboats to perform a wide range of duties, and BtB Marine’s vessels have been performing remarkably for many years”.

 

 “The 750 ULR design with the OXE Diesel Outboard is a versatile boat that can deliver a wide range of work, port security, border patrol and transfer operations cost-effectively, both with its initial cost and operating costs,” Chris explained. “We believe environmental issues are more important than ever and feel that small vessels lend themselves to these many and varied roles particularly well”.

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According to David Good, CEO of the Australian Marine Export Group which hosted the Australian Marine Industry awards at the Southport yacht club, BtB Marine’s entry in the Innovation category made it an easy decision for judges; “BtB Marine’s entry was one of the easier decisions, a very convincing submission and a worthy winner”.

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MaryAnne Edwards, consultant for Global Marine Business Advisors and Chair Judge said, "This year's award entries were impressive, and it is extremely hard to select winners when every entry is worthy of acknowledgement and accolades. There are so many businesses in the Australian marine industry with the determination to succeed and the skills, expertise, and can-do attitude that have built the world class reputation our industry is renowned for” MaryAnne continued.

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According to Darren Everard, Deputy Mayor of the Fraser Coast Council, this win is a big boost for regional manufacturing. “Your win in the Innovation category strengthens existing business and industry sectors through skills and supply chain development in the Fraser Coast region, and builds on our competitive advantages including location and environmental assets. There has never been a more important time for Australian manufacturing to stand up and demonstrate capability. Congratulations to BtB Marine General Manager Chris Hough & Managing Director Eva Hough.

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The Australian Marine Industry Award for Innovation is the second major national award that BtB Marine’s 750ULR workboat has won, also taking out the AusMarine award for the Best Multi-Purpose Workboat recently.