Every year via the Chuck Husick Marine Technology Award, Ocean Navigator looks at the latest offerings in marine tech — new products, new online services, new ways of approaching the challenges of voyaging. Once again this year we had an excellent crop of new possibilities to consider. We had nominees that included a new electric drive concept from Torqueedo, a diesel outboard from Yanmar, communications services from Fastseas Weather Routing and OCENS WeatherNet, plus many more. You can see all the nominees here.
Our team of judges whose task it is to evaluate the nominees and pick a final winner is an experienced group of marine technology experts and voyaging sailors. The panel included Ben Ellison, marine electronics guru and the guiding force behind Panbo.com; Ellen Massey Leonard, circumnavigator and frequent contributor to ON; Steve D'Antonio, marine systems consultant, writer, photographer and ABYC Master Technician; Jeff Merrill, marine writer, yacht broker and power voyaging expert; Paul Exner, sail training/sea trial instructor and marine writer; Lawrence Husick, son of Chuck Husick who is carrying on Chuck’s tradition of marine writing as a contributor to ON; Roger Hellyar-Brook, marine systems expert.
After looking at the whole slate of 2017 nominees, our judges chose the Scanstrut ROKK Charge+ Waterproof USB Socket – an innovative solution to the challenge of charging handheld devices while in the cockpit.
Congratulations to Scanstrut for winning the 2017 Chuck Husick Award!
The ROKK Charge+ Waterproof USB Socket has a number of impressive features that led to its win. It is, of course, IPX6 waterproof and is a universal fit for any Type-A USB connector and can charge two devices at once. It has a click and lock lid with a 316 stainless hinge and spring. It is ultra low profile at only 29mm high and 94mm long with an anti-snag cover that aligns the cables when closed. And its standard barrel size fits existing USB sockets.
