WILMETTE, Ill. — Marine journalists entering Boating Writers International's 2002 Writing Contest increased from 113 to 159, a 41 percent gain, submitting a record 451 entries in 12 categories. Contest organizers attribute the increase to promotion of the program by a four-color brochure sent to 6,000 boating, outdoor and active lifestyle journalists and the addition of two categories: "Boating Columns" and "Boating Features in Newspapers." The updated brochure and widespread distribution was made possible by donations from Brunswick Corp., Genmar Holdings and MarineMax. Design and production cost of the brochure was donated by Wendt Productions. Details of the contest and a PDF file of the new brochure can be viewed at www.bwi.org.

Forty-eight contest judges, four for each category drawn from the BWI membership, are now poring through the submissions, using a standardized scoring form and tallying results. Winners are determined by the end of January and will be announced, receive checks of $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third and award plaques during the BWI Annual Meeting held at the Miami Boat Show February 14.

The new "Columns" category was a hit attracting 58 entries (with each entry consisting of three columns penned by the same author), and tied with the Travel category as bringing in the most pounds. Perennial favorites, Lifestyles and Boat Tests weighed in next. The new Lifestyle in Newspapers category pulled in 15 entries for its first year. New category sponsors include KVH Industries, Inc. for Boating Columns, Richard Lewis Communications for Lifestyles, Interlux Yacht Finishes for Boating Features in Newspapers, and Yamaha Marine Group for Boat Tests. All sponsors are noted alongside the category entry counts below.

1. Columns (58 entries); sponsor KVH Industries, Inc.
2. Boating Lifestyles (61); sponsor Richard Lewis Communications
3. Boating Features in Newspapers (15); sponsor Interlux Yacht Finishes
4. Boating Travel or Destinations (55); sponsor Bear Advertising
5. Boat/Engine Care and Maintenance (20); sponsor Starbrite
6. Electronics (21); sponsor Thales Navigation Magellan GPS Products
7. Ethics and Environment (24); sponsor BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water
8. Fishing (34); sponsor Suzuki Motor Corporation
9. News (30); sponsor Mercury Marine
10. Seamanship, Rescue and Safety (39); sponsor Sea Tow Services International
11. Technical Writing (39); sponsor Taylor Made Environmental
12. Boat Tests (55); sponsor Yamaha Marine Group.

BWI is a non-profit professional organization consisting of writers, broadcasters, editors, photographers, public relations specialists and others in the communications profession associated with the boating industry. Members include active marine journalists across the U.S., in Canada and around the world, supporting marine manufacturers and service entities, and associates in communication roles.