Hella marine sponsors Sea Pro 2022 Skiff Challenge Entry

30 March 2022 in Events

Hella marine sponsors Sea Pro Entry in 1,300 mile Florida circumnavigation

On April 7, six teams of boatbuilders will set off from Pensacola, Florida in the US to race around the state in the 2022 Florida Skiff Challenge. Organized by Captains for Clean Water, the daring endurance event will raise awareness of Florida's critical water crises. In support of the cause and an OEM customer, Hella marine is sponsoring the Sea Pro Boats entry and supplying high-performance LED lighting.

"Hella marine is headquartered in New Zealand, a country renowned for its commitment to protecting the environment," said Gary Stidham, USA sales manager. "We’re proud to sponsor Sea Pro Boats, supply a lighting solution to keep them safe during the race, and do our part to safeguard clean water for future generations."

Hella marine provided NaviLED PRO navigation lamps, a Sea Hawk 470 Spread Light Bar, Sea Hawk XLR Flood Lights and EuroLED 75 Lights to the Skiff Challenge entry boat. Like all Hella marine fixtures, they feature EMI-free operation that eliminates interference with VHF, AIS and other electronics.

"It's great that Hella marine is on our team as a sponsor," said Sea Pro Boats R.J. Burke. "We need as many people as possible to get involved with Captains for Clean Water to help save Florida's watershed."

Captains for Clean Water began with several fishing guides who every day saw the result of the state's mismanagement of its water. Now a vocal defender of Florida's aquatic ecosystems, it strives to advance science-based solutions to the crisis through lobbying, education and awareness-building events such as the 2022 Florida Skiff Challenge.
The Challenge takes competitors on a route around the entire Florida peninsula, from Pensacola to Fernandina Beach. Sea Pro captains Chris Kalinowsky and Toby Hansen are supported by their land-based crew of Ashley Crapse, Worth Gaylor and Jamie Martin for the three-day, nearly nonstop race. The 5.2m Sea Pro 172 Bay Series skiff will be limited to a 70 hp outboard and may only carry 83 litres of fuel. Whitmire, South Carolina-based Sea Pro Boats builds 10 models of bay and offshore boats ranging in length from 5.2m to 9.7m.