Today, the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, launched the U.S. Coast Guard Ready for Rescue Challenge, a $255,000 prize competition that seeks boater safety solutions that will help make it easier to find people in the water.

The Challenge is designed to find novel technology and materials to support the development of a new or updated life jacket, an attachment to a life jacket, or a new safety device for boaters. The best solutions will be effective, affordable, and hold the potential for wide adoption by recreational boaters.

This call is for Phase I in an anticipated three-phase prize competition.

Interested in entering the Challenge? Those interested in participating in the Challenge should submit their concept by 4:59 PM ET, Monday, October 15, 2018. The judging panel will evaluate the submissions, and select up to five monetary prize winners and up to five non- monetary honorable mention award winners. $25,000 will be distributed evenly among each of the Phase I monetary prize winners.

In Phase II, selected participants from Phase I will participate in a “Piranha Pool” to pitch their concepts and compete for a total prize pool of $120,000. This prize pool will support the development of the concepts into working prototypes. In Phase III, the Coast Guard will field test the prototypes alongside standard USCG approved safety equipment. At the conclusion of Phase III, the judging panel may award a total $110,000 in additional monetary prizes.

Join us in bringing novel solutions to this important water safety matter by submitting your concept.