West Marine Announces Green Product of the Year Contest

West Marine, the nation’s largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, announced its first annual “Green Product of the Year” contest. It will award one prize of $10,000 to the designated winner at the 2010 Miami International Boat Show.

The competition is free and open to individuals, manufacturers, distributors and inventors of boating products.

The judges will select the winner based on the following criteria:

• Eco-effectiveness: How effectively does the product improve the marine environment, conserve natural resources, or reduce the carbon wake of boating operations (e.g., fossil fuel consumption)?

• Cost-effectiveness: How does the product compare in cost per use or purchase price versus current products and technologies?

• Applicability and breadth of market impact: If implemented or used, how universal is the application of the product for its intended use?

• Degree of innovation and originality: How does this product improve upon or replace similar products or solutions currently found in the market? How does this product serve a new green market need or niche not currently served by existing products or solutions? How original is this product, design or solution? Are any new technologies or materials used?

• Compliance with official rules: Does the entry and entrant comply with the official rules?

Participants can enter by completing an entry form at http://www.westmarine.com/green between Feb. 12 and Nov. 1, 2009.