Archway Marine Lighting at the 2019 International WorkBoat Show

Leo Bye • December 6, 2019

2019 International WorkBoat Show. This week, our very own Leo Bye and Josh Vaughn attended the annual International Workboat Show in New Orleans, Louisiana. The International WorkBoat Show is the largest commercial marine trade show in North America. It is a trade-only conference and expo for commercial vessel owners, operators, and builders as well as the vendors and suppliers that serve them. The show provides a chance for attendees to discover new products, network, and learn about the ever-changing issues affecting the industry. Attendees include engineers, architects, equipment manufacturers, distributors, shipyard and port authorities, government officials, military officials, and many more from the industry. The show is packed with many different programs and speakers throughout its three days as well as exhibitors, like Archway Marine Lighting, who are there to connect to the industry directly by offering demonstrations and answering any questions they may have.

 

 

Leo and Josh proudly represented Archway Marine Lighting at our booth that featured products from Marine Sports Lighting, Helly Hansen, and many more manufacturers. Over the next few days, Leo and Josh met a lot of very nice and interesting people in the industry who were excited about what Archway has to offer. This also provided a chance for the two of them to hear directly from their customers and hear more of what they would like us to add to our extensive line of inland marine supplies. It is these sorts of interactions that make these shows so valuable for us because we value what the customer has to say and want to make sure all their needs are being met. As an added incentive, we held a drawing for a Pelican cooler and one lucky individual who stopped by was fortunate enough to win this stellar prize!

 

 

Finding themselves in a city rich in culture and delicious cuisine, Leo and Josh made sure to try the local fare. After receiving a tip from a fellow show attendee, they made their way to Mother’s Restaurant, the supposed home of the world’s best-baked ham. Leo tried their famous baked ham with red beans and rice, cabbage and grits, and Josh tried his luck with their equally famous Ferdi sandwich with fries. Both were really happy with their meals and want to come back again during next year’s WorkBoat Show.

 

 

During their time in the historic city, Leo and Josh explored the Big Easy’s waterfront. There they saw fishing boats, trawlers, and even a steamboat! They even got a chance to hear some classic New Orleans jazz being played nearby. All in all, Leo and Josh had a great time at the WorkBoat Show in New Orleans representing Archway Marine Lighting. They caught up with a lot of old friends from the inland marine industry and made many new ones too.  They cannot wait to go back next year!

 

 

Barge in an inland waterway
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Marine‑grade does not automatically mean durable, compliant, or right for your operation. It means a product is intended for marine environments, but the level of protection, construction quality, and real‑world performance can vary widely. If you assume marine‑grade guarantees long service life or regulatory compliance, you may end up with lighting that fails early, creates safety gaps, or causes avoidable downtime. Understanding what marine‑grade truly means helps you make smarter decisions before problems show up on the water. What Does "Marine‑Grade" Actually Mean? Marine‑grade means the product is designed to operate in wet, corrosive, high‑vibration environments. That is the baseline . It does not mean every marine‑grade product performs the same way or lasts the same amount of time. At its core, marine‑grade typically includes: Materials that resist corrosion from moisture and exposure Sealed housings to limit water intrusion Construction intended to handle vibration and movement Electrical components suited for marine power systems That definition is broad. Two products can both be labeled marine‑grade and perform very differently once installed on a working vessel. What Marine‑Grade Does Not Guarantee Marine‑grade does not guarantee long life, compliance, or suitability for your specific application. This is where many operators get caught off guard. Marine‑grade does not automatically mean: U.S. Coast Guard compliant Rated for continuous duty or long shifts Designed for inland river conditions Resistant to constant vibration and impact Properly sealed for washdowns or heavy rain Compatible with your vessel's electrical load A light can survive occasional exposure to water and still fail quickly when installed near engines, winches, or work areas that vibrate nonstop. Why Marine‑Grade Looks Different on Inland Vessels Marine‑grade products are often designed with a wide range of marine environments in mind. Inland operations create unique challenges that generic marine‑grade standards do not always address. On inland waterways, you deal with: Constant vibration from engines and tow operations Tight working areas with high impact risk Frequent night operations Mud, debris, and spray rather than open saltwater Long duty cycles with little downtime A fixture that performs fine on a recreational boat or marina dock may not hold up on a towboat or barge deck. Note: Marine-grade alone does not account for how hard inland vessels work.
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