A Marion-based manufacturer of public safety airboats sailed away with this year's Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin award.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group on Oct. 23 presented executives from 1000 Island Airboats with this year's trophy during WMC's annual Business Day gathering in Madison. The company's 24-foot Search and Rescue Airboat emerged from a field of almost 150 nominees to win this year's vote.

The boats are designed to handle winter conditions and are used by communities and federal agencies to rescue people in precarious winter weather. The boats can handle open water or ice with ease.

“Thank you to the exceptional men and women who continue to drive Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry forward — the innovators, builders, and problem solve

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